PC hopes to answer rotation questions during summer
With only three seniors on the roster this past season, Parkers Chapel ranked as one of the youngest teams in the state regardless of class in 2022.
After reaching the regional tournament thanks to a 10-game winning streak, the Trojans are already looking to take a step forward with the start of their high school extended league season, which kicked off earlier this week.
“It gives me a chance to see up close and personal some of the younger kids that are coming to my program and it gives some of my older guys a chance to play another 20, 25 ballgames this summer and kind of mesh them together,” said Parkers Chapel coach Mark Looney.
“Some guys that didn’t get a lot of time on the mound that will get some opportunities to get some innings in. Just see some guys in different positions and try different people out. Summertime ball is a little bit more laid back than high school ball with free substitutions so you can take kids in and out and things of that nature. I always enjoy it and we’ll play up until dead period.”
The Trojans debuted a freshman class that shows plenty of promise with Dyson Dougan, Cameron Mayo, Hayden Primm and Chandler Boykin all playing prominent roles in the Trojans’ success.
PC will be adding to that roster of upcoming sophomores with a freshman class that includes JT Ingram, who played some last summer with the El Dorado Drillers in American Legion, as well as with the Trojans.
“He played with us last summer, and I know what JT is capable of behind the plate, on the mound or on the infield,” Looney said. “I got a good look at him last summer. It definitely gives us some depth. We were a fairly young squad this year with only three seniors on the whole squad, but we do have to replace the one and two in the rotation. The biggest thing for me is to figure out who can throw strikes and change their pitches up.
“I’m not concerned about velocity and trying to throw in the low-80s, I’m just trying to find some kids that have got two or three different pitches that can change speeds, that can locate, throw strikes, things of that nature. I saw a couple of kids last night (Tuesday) that caught my eye.
“It was just one game, but the biggest thing is when you get rid of your seniors, you kind of know the kids that are coming, but you don’t get an up close and personal view of them because they’re usually playing ball at the same time we are in high school. These 11 doubleheader games I’ve got scheduled are going to give me a good idea going into next season who can do what and who needs to improve in certain categories.”
Pitching may be the top key for the Trojans this summer, who will be losing All-State aces Mason Dougan and Caleb Barnes to graduation.
“Absolutely,” Looney said. “Pitching dictates the entire game. I know I have good position players. They’ll be more experienced next year. It just gives me an opportunity to give guys chances that maybe they wouldn’t in a 30-game high school season. Maybe you’ll
stay with a kid a little bit longer in summer ball on the mound to see if he can work through adversity and work out of a few jams instead of going out there quick in high school and going to the next guy. It’s just little things like that that makes a difference.
“You get to see who can work through adversity and who struggles through adversity and what their demeanor is and how they overcome it.
“I think I had three eighth-graders throw on the mound last night just to see how they reacted whether things were going good or not so good.
“A lot of times as a coach, you can learn a lot about kids when they go through adversity than when everything is going their way.
“I’m looking for kids that can go out there and compete no matter what the circumstances are.”