Red Devils eye run at state after strong offseason

Atkins Coach Ben Miller led the Red Devils to a 20-8 record last season. This year, he said, the team has a shot to win state. Atkins returns six starters this year, and three are considered college prospects. Senior Robert Deal, junior Kennen Martin and junior Ben Jackson could all play ball in college, coach Miller said. Deal is a good fielder who is one of the team’s best power hitters, Miller said. Martin is a gifted athlete and is the team’s best fielder on top of being one of the fastest players, and Jackson possesses a strong arm as one of the best pitchers on the squad, the coach said. Ninth-grader Tristan Wheelus is emerging as a power hitter on the team, Miller said. Senior Sweet is one of the team’s best pitchers,and junior Trey Davis brings a lot of speed to the lineup, the coach said. The rivalry with Lamar will be a series to watch, as it always is, Miller said. The heated games fall on March 15 at Lamar and April 16 at home. The Red Devils lost 16-3 in their first meeting with Lamar on March 16 last season on the road. They lost 9-7 in their second meeting April 17 at home. But when the teams met in the playoffs April 28, Red Devils won 8-5. The Red Devils lost two in a row in the 3A regionals last year. They beat Mansfield and Jessieville to advance, before suffering a 12-2 loss against Greenland. Atkins was shut out against Junction City in round 1 of the state-championship playoff. The Red Devils came into the tournament a one seed and owned the best record in the conference. With so many players returning, Miller said, the state title is within reach. “This team should have a shot at winning district, regionals, and we should make a run at state,” Miller said. The coaches and players worked to improve the team’s pitching in the offseason. “We really just tried to get stronger and develop more pitching,” Miller said about the offseason. Three Red Devils hit home runs last year. Jackson notched 4, Dylan Wilson hit 2, although he has graduated, and Deal hit 1. Deal and Jackson return and give the Atkins offense some fire power. The Red Devils racked up over 10 runs in nine games a season ago. With six bats from that team returning to the lineup, the offense should be good this year as well, Miller said.