Hornets looking for diamond opportunities

Jeffery Liggin wants the Southside Bee Branch Hornets to own every opportunity on the diamond this year. “We shot ourselves in the foot in some critical situations and ended our season earlier than we had planned,” second-year coach Liggin said of last season. Liggin is aiming for a state-tournament berth this season, and to help in the Hornets’ pursuit, they have senior catcher Griffin Smith locking down the plate. Smith also hits leadoff for the team, having posted a .449 batting average and a .635 on-base percentage in an all-state year last season. Sophomore pitcher Blake Battles leads the Hornets’ pitching staff, which accumulated a 1.92 ERA last season. Battles had a 1.50 ERA in 46.2 innings pitched a year ago. While Battles pitches to contact, senior Makall Mosley led the Hornets with 39 strikeouts last season while accumulating a 1.52 ERA. Liggin said he is excited to see freshman pitcher Gus Holland in action this year, citing Holland’s ability to command the strike zone. In support of the pitching staff, junior shortstop Riley Campbell is one of Liggin’s best fielders this season, the coach said. The previously mentioned Griffin Smith had only two errors from the catcher’s position last year. Liggin said sophomore Brody Smith has the most power of anyone on the Hornets. Smith went .405 at the plate last season and tallied a .554 slugging percentage. Mosley added 30 runs batted in last year and was second on the team in doubles. On the basepaths, Griffin Smith led the Hornets with 34 stolen bases last year and will likely add more stolen bases to his stat line. Smith has a penchant for making doubles out of what would regularly be singles, the coach said. Fellow senior Eli Leonard is deceptively quick, relying on his ability to read pitchers. He added 21 stolen bases last season. The coach said one Hornet, Griffin Smith, has committed to play baseball at Central Baptist College in Conway as a utility player. For Liggin, he’s looking to avenge his team’s nine losses last season, having the opportunity to play all but one of those teams. He said he’s also excited to play the Allen Jeter Classic in March and noted that the team’s toughest week comes in April, with games versus Mount Vernon, Concord, Conway Christian and Nemo Vista. “There is a rich tradition here at Southside of finishing well,” Liggin said. “I think we will have a chance to do that if we own every opportunity we get to be on the diamond this year.”