Young provides SHS experience for state title run

It hasn’t been uncommon for Greg Carter to put together a team of players in a single season that had limited experience and compete for a state championship, but this season he’s got plenty of experience.

The Starkville Yellow Jackets enter this week’s Class 6A state playoff semifinal at Jackson with seniors that have contributed in consecutive state championships. Coltie Young has contributed as much as all of them and he was big in getting them back to the Big House this past weekend.

While Young came into the year as a Dandy Dozen selection from the (Jackson) Clarion Ledger, the star has improved his game exponentially in his coach’s eyes. Young has become the well-rounded player he set out to be coming into the year.

7-4 on Friday at East Central Community College.

Adkins said it was good just to finally be able to get on the field for competition after rain and winter weather prevented it for about a week.

“Being able to get out last week was huge because I had several kids that played travel ball

that have gotten to play, then I have the other half of the team that hasn’t played in a live game since last spring break,” Adkins said. “We came out ready to go and I felt like as a coaching staff, we did a really good job of managing things. Even though we are 2-2, we could have easily been 4-0 for the week. We had an opportunity in every single one of those games to win. Against Northeast Jones, we were ahead in the top of the

eighth inning and gave up two to lose that one. We were ahead in the game against D’iberville and even at the end of the game, we had bases loaded with a chance to either tie or go ahead.

“Saturday against West Lauderdale was nice. Obviously they have a long history of having a good program. It was a nice crowd, the weather was good and we played well. It was one of those type ball games where we came out on top.”

Even though Starkville has struggled in some areas early in the season, Perry sees working on that against tough teams to be beneficial before district play begins.

“We’re coming along fine and should be top notch by district play,” Perry said. “We obviously want to win, but these games will help us hit our stride come district play.”

Adkins calls Banks one of the “mainstays” on the mound, but

will also count on Ethan Pulliam and Dawkins as key pitchers. He expects Owen, Wright and Mason Thurlow to provide depth.

“Having that five or six guys on the mound this year that we can call on at any time is obviously a plus,” Adkins said.

Offensively, Adkins said Wright has swung the bat well out of the gate and that Perry has had some good at-bats.

He likes the mix of familiar names and new players up and

down the batting order.

“The majority of our lineup is what you would call a veteran group,” Adkins said. “They’ve been together going on three years now.

“One of the names that’s new to the team this year is Caden Tate. He has done really well at the plate so far. I know my veteran guys Jackson Owen and Riley Dawkins will get it going. Once they do, we really will be a team to beat.”