New coach has El Dorado baseballteam off to fast start.
Apparently, there is nothing to this coaching business.
In his first year coaching at his alma mater, Cannon Lester has El Dorado off to a 7-0 start, and the Wildcats have done it with a little bit of everything.
Offensively, the Wildcats have scored 10 or more runs in four games.
On the mound, El Dorado has surrendered just 17 runs total in their seven outings.
But for Lester, the biggest reason for their start is confidence.
“I think there were a lot of good pieces already in place, and I think they needed somebody to believe in them,” Lester said. “We’ve put a little enthusiasm into it, and they’ve gotten after it pretty good. We had a little success in the first couple of games, and then had a big win against (Hot Springs) Lakeside. Since then, they’ve rode the wave and they’re feeling good right now.”
In seven games, El Dorado has scored 65 runs, which is already past the halfway mark for the number runs they scored last year (122).
But while the Wildcats have had games where they may not have had a high number of hits, they have made the most of their opportunities when they have presented themselves with walks, hit batsmen or errors.
“We’ve had a really good approach at the plate,” Lester said. “I think the first game we won was 4-1, and I think we left about 15 guys on, so we got plenty of runners on. I think in the next game, we had only about five hits, but we scored 15 runs, so we’ve been really good at making offense, maybe not so much hitting.
“We’ve had some games where we’ve pounded out some hits, but we’re taking our walks and stealing a lot of bags. We’re just grinding out at-bats, so that they’ll make a mistake up there. I’ve really been proud of what our offense has done. I think our hitting is going to come along even more, and we’re going to be able to hit, but our offense has been really good.”
Jacob Boshears is one of several Wildcats who have been on a tear to start the season.
A junior, Boshears went 3-for-4 with four RBIs against Camden Fairview while also belting a three-run homer in a win over Warren last week.
Noah Gaul delivered a pair of big hits last week, drilling a two-run double that turned out to be the difference in the Wildcats’ win over Monticello, and his three-run double broke open Thursday’s home win over Magnolia.
Leighton Turbeville also had a three-run double against Magnolia, and the senior was mentioned by Lester along with Gaul and Brennan Smith for their solid work.
“Leighton Turbeville has hardly ever gotten out when they actually pitch to him,” Lester said. “When he gets on, he runs, and he’s had a great approach at the plate. I think he’s only gotten 10 official at-bats. He’s had some great at-bats. There’s a couple of other guys down the lineup that really get on base, and I think that gets lost.
“I tell our guys that we’re not going to talk about batting average because I don’t worry about it. I think Derek Jobe is hitting around the Mendoza line, but I think he has about eight lineouts. That’s kind of how it goes sometimes, and you’ve got to go with the ebbs and flows of it. You have to keep trusting in what you’re doing, it’s going to come around.”
Derek Jobe appears to be on his way to another solid season at the top of the Wildcats’ rotation.
A junior, Jobe struck out 10 and walked one over five innings of work against Magnolia. He allowed three hits and one run.
“I think everybody knows that Derek is our no doubt No. 1,” Lester said. “When he gets on the mound, we feel like we can beat anybody.”
Senior Daniel Johnson has also thrown key innings out of the bullpen.
“Daniel always had what I call a feel for the baseball,” Lester said. “He can throw any pitch at any time from any angle. He really trusts his stuff, and we really trust him on the mound.”
The pitching staff has also showed plenty of depth early on.
“I think we’ve thrown nine so far,” Lester said. “There have been some other guys that have really come through. We’re going to start Zach Morgan at Lake Hamilton. He had a good outing against Warren. Leighton Turbeville has got really good stuff. Garrett Jeans has come in and had a lot of strikeouts. There’s some other guys mixed in there.”
Success hasn’t been limited to just the upperclassmen.
Adam Simmons, a sophomore, has fared well in starts against Hot Springs Lakeside and Camden Fairview, and Lester added that pitching coach Hayden Dow has been pleased with the results thus far.
“He really likes him,” Lester said. “He was the one that started against Lakeside, a pretty good offensive team for his first varsity start, and he shut them down for five innings. There’s still probably three of four more that we haven’t really got a chance to get a feel for that can really help us down the road.”
Today, El Dorado travels to Lake Hamilton looking to improve to 8-0.
It is the first meeting between the rivals since the Wolves ended the Wildcats’ season last spring in the 6A West Conference Tournament.
“I haven’t really heard it come up yet, but I’m sure it will definitely be said,” Lester said. “I’m sure they’ll definitely have a little sour taste in their mouths. They know they’re a different team this year, and I think they’ll be looking forward to playing them.”