Holden putting LFO emphasis on pride
Matt Holden graduated from LFO High School in 2009 and remembers the pride he felt when he took the field wearing the Red-and-White.
Now that he is the Warriors’ new skipper, that pride has been turned up a few more degrees.
“Honestly, this is the job that I’ve wanted ever since I went (to school) here,” said Holden, who was handed the keys after Johnny Burch stepped down at the end of last season. “I’ve put a lot of time and effort into this program and it just means more to me now that I’m here (as head coach). I take a lot of pride in this program. The goal is to make it the best in the area and, hopefully, we can achieve that.”
He said it hasn’t been hard to pass on that pride and passion to his new team.
“Every coach I’ve ever played for has had an old-school mentality,” he added. “They’ve all emphasized foundational baseball, attention to detail and just a having a passion for what you’re doing. It trickles down from the head coach to the players. If I show them day in and day out what it takes, the kids will respond and our kids have responded to it already. They’re hungry to get after it and they want to do something special too. These kids are already taking a lot of pride in
being Warriors and doing things the right way. They’re from here and I’m from here, so we’re all on the same page.”
Holden will begin his first season at the helm with two returning AllRegion pitchers, but scarce little experience after that as all of LFO’s position players from last year, save for one, has now graduated.
The only returning positional starter is senior centerfielder Joseph Heinrich, while fellow senior outfielder Gunner Hamill is making his return to the field after taking time away from the sport. They are the only two seniors on this year’s roster.
“Both of them are extremely high character guys,” Holden added. “They take pride in doing things the right way and that trickles down to the young guys. Those young guys see the energy that comes off of those (seniors) and it really sets the tone for every practice and every game.”
Leading the junior class are Zach Coots and Riley Mosier. Both will split time at first base when not on the mound. Coots won five games and struck out 61 batters in 61.2 innings a year ago with a 2.95 ERA. Meanwhile, Mosier had six victories and
struck out 27 batters in 51 innings with a 3.43 ERA. Both were named to the All-Region team in 2018.
“We’re going to lean very heavily on their ability to keep us in games, especially with all these young guys in the field and in the lineup,” Holden said.
Utility player Carson McCammon is one of the best all-around players on the team and its leading returning hitter (.412). McCammon will hit third in the order and could also see time on the mound or behind the plate. First baseman/outfielder Todd Thornburg did not play last year, but brings athleticism and a blue-collar style of play to the team, while Holden is also excited to have catcher and first-time player Noah Haney on the roster. Holden said he has been impressed with Haney’s effort and attitude.
A large sophomore class contains players with some varsity experience and others looking for playing time.
Shortstop Josh McAfee, who was injured early last year, is healthy and ready to go, while right-hander Matthew Shields could begin the year as the team’s No. 3 pitcher. Isaiah Blackburn will pitch and play third base, Nyko Simpson will split time between second base and the outfield, while Devan Hinton can play in the outfield or at either one of the middle infield spots.
The rest of the sophomores include outfielders Eli Burgess, Malachi Pow-
ell, Blake Thornburg and Gage Kelly. Powell can also play on the infield, while Kelly, who did not play last year because of injury, has also had an impressive preseason thus far on the mound.
Holden also has tremendous confidence in freshman catcher Will Carroll, who will most likely start the season behind the dish for the Warriors. Two more rookies looking to make an impact include middle infielder Peyton Tipton and outfielder Chris Kelly.
“It’s just going to be a confidence thing with our guys,” Holden added. “They just have to know they can get it done.”
Burch is staying on with the club as its pitching coach, while the rest of the staff includes Nick Dunn (catchers, infielders), Drake Enloe (outfielders) and Matt Culbreth (outfielders).
Holden re-emphasized the need for solid starting pitching, especially from his veterans, and said that he feels the rest of the team will be fine if they are “mentally mature”.
“With a young team, you can have really high highs and really low lows,” he explained. “If we’re in a close game, we just have to mentally stay in it, keep fighting and just be smart. I really believe in the character of our players and I trust they’ll be able to get it done if they just stay focused and even-keeled.”