High hopes for Panthers Baseball

Baseball season may seem like it’s dying down with the World Series already over. But for millions of kids across the world, it’s been going on for a while, and won’t stop for another few weeks, until it gets too cold. 

That is, unless of course, you’re talking about High School Baseball, which has yet to start but is fast approaching. That includes the South Panthers, who have a lot to be excited about this upcoming season. 

Coach Russ McDaniels said,“Hopes should be high… we have a lot of good seniors this year we are expecting big things from.”

McDaniels also said he expects for the fielding (one of the team’s strong suits from last year) to maintain that same level of excellence. 

This optimism seems to reach the players in the dugout, as well. Michael Allen, senior and First Baseman, is one of those players. He said his main goal for this season is one thing: to win State. 

That winning attitude was instilled in the mind of everyone else.

However, everyone has different goals.

Ryan Owens, Senior and middle infielder, said, “My biggest goal is to have fun.” 

Like any other athlete, the offseason rarely means rest for a baseball player. And junior Dylan Hufft has been working to improve his power by hitting the weight room.

Hufft said “I’ve been working out, practicing my fielding and hitting at practice over the offseason.”

Meanwhile, Allen said he has been working specifically to have more productive at-bats.

Now the schedule hasn’t been released yet, and won’t be anytime soon, but the players have a good feeling about one team almost certain to be on their schedule: the Park Hill Trojans. 

The Panthers have a bit of a wait until they can play their first game of the season, but already, the seniors and some of the best players on the team are ready to take the field.