Searcy coach excited about young program
Circled for the Searcy High School baseball team this season is mental preparation. “When do we start to really think about the at-bat, and what are we trying to achieve in the at-bat?” Searcy head coach Matthew Davis asked. “We want to better improve our overall communication and defense and be on the same page and aware of where we need to be. “Just in a broad scope, we are trying to push our guys to achieve this season.” Searcy, which finished 16-10 last season, returns only two starters in senior Mikey Huddy and sophomore Tanner Leonard. “Last year, we had an older group and a more experienced group,” Davis said, “so now, we are teaching to a younger group. “In that aspect, we have circled that as far as what we need to work on and what we really have to hammer on, because we have so many guys who don’t have experience.” Huddy plays second base, and last year, he finished with a fielding percentage of .899 in 19 games. “When he came in as a freshman, we knew he had a good glove,” said Davis, who is in his fifth season at Searcy. “He took a year or two to physically grow and mature, but last year, we knew going in, he was going to be a good second baseman, and he didn’t disappoint.” The coach said Huddy has a nice, relaxed feel to him and is “like a funnel” when anything is hit toward him. “He makes a clean throw and doesn’t try to do anything too flashy,” Davis said. “He has a cool demeanor and is really solid fundamentally. “Now he is trying to round out his game by being a better offensive player as well.” Leonard started last year as a freshman, playing in 19 games. “We didn’t want to rush him and give him too much to handle,” Davis said, “but an injury came about, and he was kind of the next one up. “Once he got in there, something just kind of clicked, and he never left. He has really matured from a baseball standpoint, both fundamentally and mentally.” Leonard had a .268 batting average with
18 walks, 8 strikeouts and 15 runs scored. “He was just a natural fit,” Davis said. “The kids just gravitated toward him last year, and he just clicks with everybody.” Even as a freshman, Leonard had “a good pop to his bat and was really selective as a leadoff guy,” Davis said. “This year, he has really worked hard to develop a gap power in his swing,” Davis said. “He has become physically stronger and has really worked hard on his foot speed. “He has just developed in those aspects of his game. He is one of our good power guys, especially early in the lineup. He has really matured in his game this year.” Davis said having only two starters returning from last year is not too concerning for him. “It is more of an exciting time for us,” he said. “It is an opportunity for a lot of guys to get some experience, not just in this season but in a year or two down the road.” Davis said he has several guys with a lot of varsity experience who could come off the bench and produce. “Our older guys are really leading a lot of freshmen and sophomores and teaching them the right way to do things,” Davis said. “We have really become a cohesive unit this offseason and are coming together really well. “It is an exciting time for us.” Senior center fielder Bobby Graham, who runs a 60-yard dash in 6.7 seconds, had 9 stolen bases and scored 14 runs last year. “He did a great job coming off the bench,” Davis said. “Ethan Whitworth didn’t get as many at-bats as we would have liked, but he is one guy who has stepped up into a leadership role.” Davis described Whitworth, a senior, as one of the team’s better power hitters, after he batted .222 with 21 plate appearances. He had 4 hits, including a double, and 3 RBIs. “He has really worked his tail off from an offensive standpoint,” Davis said. “He has hit the weight room and has gotten stronger there. “He has also cut down on movement in his swing, and I think it is showing.” Davis said Whitworth recently traveled to Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri, and had a workout with the school’s team. “He is getting some looks and interest from colleges, and he is maturing into a leadership role,” Davis said. “He is one of those guys sticking around after practice and working with the young guys, trying to develop a future generation of Lion baseball. “He is a good example for a lot of ouryounger guys.” Davis said one guy whom he is really excited about is senior Mason Schucker, who returns to baseball after missing last year as the result of an injury. “Him being an all-state quarterback and a natural leader has really shown some guys how doing the small things are great things,” Davis said. “We are excited to have him around this year.” The coach said Schucker is expected to pitch and play infield for the Lions. “There is a little bit of rust there, but he has worked hard,” Davis said. “He is going to college to play football, so he has a football body right now, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. He is developing nicely and doing everything he can do to prepare. “That’s what he is doing right now.” Pitching will be a problem area for the Lions, but Davis said Leonard has already begun making the transition to the mound. “He knew coming in, one thing we needed was pitchers,” Davis said. “He is not just focused on the then and now but is also looking forward to the future. “He got a lot of JV experience and has worked on his pitching over the offseason. He has developed into a really good pitcher on the mound.” Davis said he isn’t looking for anybody on his team to throw 90 mph, but instead, as long as they can throw strikes and throw outs, they’ll get an opportunity on the mound. “If they can showcase that, they will work their way into some varsity playing time.” Davis said he expects his guys to compete by playing a smart, aggressive and fundamental style of baseball. “We want our guys to be confident when they succeed and bounce back after an error or mental mistake,” Davis said.