Experienced Eagles eye rigorous preconference prep
With 10 seniors on the team, expectations are high for the Mayflower Eagles, who ended the 2017 season with a 21-10 overall record and an 11-3 conference record. Coty Storms, who is entering his second year as head coach, said he plans to build on the team’s experience with a rigorous lineup of preconference games. “There are several very good and well-coached teams on our schedule that will challenge us and, hopefully, prepare us for the postseason,” he said.” Seven starters are returning to the team this year. The coach said he has high hopes for senior catcher Ethan York, a four-year starter with a solid arm and a powerful swing who is considering a college career at Central Baptist College in Conway. “York will be one of the best in 3A — a really good defender with a great arm,” the coach said. Another four-year starter is senior shortstop Brady Wilcox, who will play in the middle infield when not pitching, and is receiving interest from the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. “Brady Wilcox … has the possibility to be the ace on the mound who can beat anybody,” Storms said. The coach said returning senior Thomas Walter, pitcher and middle infielder, has a mighty throw and the potential to triumph over any opponent. Returning junior Dalton Muse will also receive some mound time, along with senior Matt Montgomery, junior Logan Funderburg and freshman Caleb Babb, who the coach said can fill any role the team needs. “We can go seven or eight deep on the mound, which is really good at the 3A level,” Storms said. Muse excels at first base, Storms said, adding that the junior also competes at the plate and is the most consistent hitter on the field. Both Muse and Walter have the potential to take their
careers to the college level, the coach added. Other returning starters include senior third baseman Sean Harris, senior hitter and middle infielder Kane Elmore, and junior outfielder Jordan Robinson. A top-notch power hitter, Harris led the team in home runs last season. Storms said the team also boasts a couple of world-class runners: junior Keely Davis, who also tracks down balls in center field, and senior Hunter Hunt, who acts as the team’s “go-to guy” in courtesy or pinch-runner situations. “I have a great group of kids who are a joy to be around every day, and they expect to win a lot of games,” the coach said.