Coach: Spring break baseball trip to Alabama beneficial

The Siloam Springs baseball team went winless at the Gulf Shores Classic in Alabama over spring break, but Coach Michael Smith said it was a beneficial experience.

The Panthers lost 14-10 to Gallatin, Tenn., on March 18; 3-1 to Cashion, Okla., and 9-1 to Central Phenix, Ala., on March 19 and 11-1 to Hendersonville, Tenn., on March 20.

“Our guys were able to play against teams that had multiple Division I players on their rosters and were ranked nationally,” Smith said. “Many outsiders might look at the scores and feel that the games were very one sided, however the games were just one or two plays away from being the complete opposite.”

Two times the Panthers faced pitchers who were throwing in the lower 90mph range and found ways to get on bases, Smith said.

“The fact that they were not intimidated shows a mentality that has not been present for as long as I can remember,” Smith said. “This will play huge dividends as we get ready to compete for a chance to make the postseason. Like I told the guys, there are not many teams, if any in Arkansas, who can say they went face to face with the No. 8 team in the nation and played a very respectable game. We also played against another nationally ranked team that averaged anywhere from 15 to 22 runs a game. We held them to three and had opportunities to win. As I told them, I think if we play to the level we did against those teams then we have a chance to get things turned around quickly while having a lot of fun doing it.”

Smith said the team would agree it has to play better on offense. The coaching staff will evaluate what it can do to help the players get out of a slump, Smith said.

Off the field, the players were able to spend some quality time with one another, Smith said.

“It is a great feeling looking back on the trip and reporting that I am proud of the way these guys represented Siloam Springs,” Smith said. “Several other coaches and I exchanged contact information as a result of their high character and ability to play the game in a respectful and competitive manner. The brotherhood and maturity these guys have developed is like no other.”

Smith also thanked the booster club officers and parents who traveled to Alabama.

“We were one of the teams that travelled the farthest yet had a very respectable representation of fans present,” Smith said. “This trip would not have been possible without many of these individuals helping in a multitude of ways. It is a great feeling when you get back on the bus and your cell phone has been blowing up with messages from back home. I was even told that there was a local business who had our game live streaming for some fans in their place of business. When you feel connected to the community, it makes this journey even more meaningful. As I have said before, do not count us out.”