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Youth takes the field for 2008 Tiger baseball team
In the game, the Tigers who had only two starters off last years' team in the lineup managed to get only two hits with both of those coming in the first inning. Reeves Bozeman who was batting in the third spot in the Tiger lineup picked up the first hit, a double in the right center gap. Bozeman advanced to third when Paul Noble's hard grounder to shortstop was mishandled. Following Noble, Dylan Digmon then singled to right field, driving in Bozeman. On the mound Tiger pitchers gave up 11 hits to the potent Satsuma lineup including two homeruns. Junior Daniel Rogers in his first start for the Tigers was charged with the loss. In four innings of work he allowed eight runs, six of which were earned, on seven hits and one walk while striking out two. Sophomore Jay Williams finished the game which was shortened to five innings allowing three runs, two of which were earned, on four hits and two walks in 2/3 of an inning. The Tigers were scheduled to continue action in the tournament on Tuesday, February 19, when they were slated to play 6A Murphy High School at 7:00 PM in Daphne. Following Tuesday's game the Tigers were to play again on Wednesday against an undetermined opponent at a yet undetermined site. The outcome of Tuesday and Wednesday's games would then determine when later in the week they would play their final game of the tournament at Hank Aaron Stadium. Although naturally disappointed with their start, Tiger Head Baseball Coach Clint Anderson realizes that this year's team is a work in progress. Anderson, who is starting his tenth season at the helm of the Tiger Baseball Program, knows it will be a difficult task to immediately replace the seven seniors who led the 2007 edition of the Tigers to a 27 - 6 record last season. Included in that group are four young men who have taken their skills on the baseball diamond on to the college level including: Jake Overstreet who signed with the University of South Alabama; Andrew Parten who signed with the University of West Alabama; and Bradley Parnell and Justin Smith who both signed with Faulkner State Community College. "There is no doubt it will be difficult to replace the group we lost last season," Anderson said. "But despite being relatively young and inexperienced in several areas, I think there is a lot of potential among the group we have this season." As is the case for all baseball teams, pitching is a key ingredient if you are to be successful. For the Tigers, who lost the majority of their starting pitching last season to graduation, a number of young pitchers will get opportunities early in the year in hopes that a regular rotation can be established as the season moves along. In the all important defensive area the Tiger coaching staff will also be trying a number of new faces in several slots as they try to find the right formula. Over on offense the Tiger Coaches will be counting on several key players who got a lot of at bats last season to carry the team until some of the younger players in the lineup can contribute on a regular basis. Taking a close look at their 2008 schedule let's you know that the Tigers are going to have to hit the ground running and pick up the pace as the season goes along. In addition to the very competitive Hank Aaron Classic, the Tigers will be playing a schedule that is full of opponents that have a tradition of playing winning baseball and going deep into the playoffs each year. "This will be one of the most difficult schedules we've played in all the time I've been here," Coach Anderson said. "In addition to playing a very strong non area schedule we believe the matchups in our area which includes Escambia County, Jackson and Monroe County will be as tough as they have ever been. We will have our hands full in every game we play this year." Anderson and the Tiger coaching staff will be counting on the four seniors on the squad, Dylan Digmon, Travis Kelley, Paul Noble and Kenny Sanders to provide the necessary leadership to help the young players on the squad find what their role is and help them prepare to step into it. "Leadership on a team is a critical component of success and we will be counting on our seniors to step up and do a good job in that area this year," Coach Anderson said.
With varsity and junior varsity working together under a different format this year Coach Anderson and his staff that includes Coaches Adam Elliott, Lance Ingram, John David Phillips and Russell Wright are working with 41 players who make up the two squads.
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