Double duty
Nashville's Ty Gordon shines on baseball diamond, football field
NASHVILLE, Ark. — Nashville senior Ty Gordon has been working this offseason to finish his Scrapper career like he started.
Gordon is committed to Arkansas State University on the baseball diamond and also leads the Scrappers on Friday nights as the quarterback.
Gordon is also a two-time state champion with the Scrapper baseball team.
As a junior, Gordon played in 10 games on the diamond for Nashville and accumulated 15 hits, 14 RBI and scored 10 runs. He also finished the shortened season with a .276 batting average.
“It feels nice being committed because when you have down time like now, I still feel like I have a lot to play for,” Gordon said. “Even when you can’t play, it makes you want to get outside and keep grinding.”
Gordon plays for Scrapper baseball coach Kyle Slayton, who won his 500th game before the season was shortened.
“I love having the opportunity to play for Coach Slayton,” Gordon said. “He’s a hard coach and he will push you to your limits, but he’ll get the best out of you. He’s a really good coach. He knows what he’s doing.”
On the football side, Gordon completed 85 of 158 passes for 1,391 and 14 touchdowns as a junior. Gordon also credits coach Mike Volarvich for his player development.
“I’ve had Coach Volarvich since I moved up to high school,” Gordon said. “I’ve really enjoyed him. He’s helped me become a better player. He pushes the team to get better everyday. I really like Coach V.”
Gordon finds pros and cons with both sports, but ultimately baseball wins out as his sport of choice.
“‘I get asked that all the time,” Gordon said. “They both have their ups and downs. I really like football but I also really like baseball. I love the atmosphere that football brings. I love those Friday night lights. It’s good to sometimes have the opportunity to release some frustration with football.
“In the end, I’d have to say baseball. I come from a really big sports family. Since I was a little kid, I fell in love with the game. Once I learned how to catch and hit, it’s stuck with me ever since.”
Gordon has also found unique ways to stay in shape this Dead Period, as the state begins to reopen and schools begin their formal offseason programs.
“Me and some of my teammates find a spare field to get as much work in as we can,” Gordon said. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to play some summer baseball. Playing multiple games a day Thursday through Sunday has really made me a better player.
“There’s not really much there is to do. I go to Texarkana and work with my hitting coach, Cedric Harris, at the Texarkana Swing Lab. I’ve just been doing what I can.”