Rams look up to leadoff man Scott
Following the graduation of two-time all-state performer Tanner Rice, Lakeside’s baseball team had a gaping hole at the top of its lineup entering this season.
Even with a number of upperclassmen to choose from, coach Leighton Hardin tabbed sophomore Justin Scott as the man for the job in his first season as a varsity starter.
“We just need a guy in that leadoff spot that can find a way to get on base, and he did that,” Hardin said. “He can bunt, he can walk and he hits really well for us. He was able to do that in the fall and in spring practices so we trusted him in that spot.”
Finishing with a .393 batting average, 35 hits, 21 RBI, 32 runs and 17 stolen bases, Scott exceeded all expectations. Solidifying a Lakeside lineup that scored nearly eight runs per game, Scott is the player of the year on The Sentinel-Record all-Garland County team.
“If you look at the numbers, Justin actually had a better year than Tanner did last year,” said Hardin. “He’s the fastest guy we have on the team, he always has good atbats and he’s good with two strikes for the most part. He’ll foul pitches off and it gives the other guys a chance to see things when they need to.”
Scott credited extra practice outside school and the time spent playing for Lakeside’s American Legion teams as the biggest reason for his breakout season.
“I took a lot of time outside of what we did here at practice; I went to the gym mostly and took time on the weekends to come up here on Saturdays and Sundays to hit for a little bit,” Scott said. “Playing for the junior and senior (American Legion) teams gave me a little bit of experience with seeing the pitching. I spent most of the summer mainly focusing on swinging at good pitches.”
Finishing with 19 walks compared to 18 strikeouts, Scott’s improved plate discipline and ability to work the count was on full display.
“It doesn’t hurt my batting average and it doesn’t help it, so I just see it as another way to help the team out,” he said. “If I get on first, I’m pretty sure I’m going to make it to second as one of the faster guys on the team.”
Scott credited Lakeside sluggers such as Jack Bornhoft (.372, 21 RBI), Zac Melugin (.429, 23 RBI) and Race Tittle (.361, 16 RBI) for making his job as the leadoff hitter easier.
“With those guys hitting behind me, it kind of took the pressure off me and let me play my game,” he said.
While Scott and the rest of the lineup wreaked havoc on the base path, Lakeside pitchers Gage Golden, Jake Turner and Tittle gave the team quality innings for a lethal combination that led to a 17-10 record and a berth in the Class 5A tournament.
“At first we didn’t know what to expect on the mound after we lost Jon (Youngblood), Tanner and the rest of the seniors,” said Scott. “We had some really good pitchers this year and it helped knowing that even if it was a close game, I didn’t have to do too much outside of myself to help the team.”
With Scott leading a young nucleus that includes fellow underclassmen Golden, Turner, Ethan Bates and Brady Prince, Hardin is excited for the future of his team, looking to advance in the Class 5A playoffs following consecutive first-round defeats.
“We do have a lot of young guys who are going to be really good for us next year and the year after,” Hardin said. “Right now, it’s just about making them more mature in the weight room or anything to make them tougher. They’re really good baseball players; we just need to make sure we get them in shape where we can beat teams like Watson Chapel and White Hall who are going to have great athletes.”
Laying the foundation for future success in his debut season, Scott sees a potential leadership role next season as the Rams graduate six seniors.
“It gives me a little bit of pressure to be a leader and continue to get better at the plate,” he said. “I just have to control what I can control, like running, playing hard and not letting my attitude or body language get in the way.”
If his first varsity season was any indication, the sky is the limit for Lakeside’s super sophomore.