by Dwight Turner
Ardmore High School’s Varsity Baseball Team has made great strides as the 2006 season has progressed. Tentative and mistake prone during pre-season action and early in the year, the Tigers have begun to play as a team and have made steady improvements on the diamond.
The players appear to be incorporating the system of first-year Head Coach Lee Walker. Walker has been stressing fundamentals with the team and preaches the importance of keeping your head in the game and not making mental mistakes.
“You can’t give a good team four or five outs an inning and expect to win,” Walker has been heard to say on several occasions this season. “You just can’t afford to beat yourself.”
Ardmore’s success this season has been due to both solid pitching and timely hitting. Clay Wales has pitched admirably all year long. In mid-seasaon he shutout West Limestone, giving up only four hits while striking out 10. A week later, Wales pitched a solid game against Clements, holding the Colts to just three runs, two earned. Senior Landon Taylor has also been impressive off the hill, pitching well in just about all of his starts and showing great calm under pressure. Another senior, Bryan McClendon has also pitched well in both starting assignments and relief. Youngster Josh Marlow has come in from the bullpen and pitched well. Marlow will only get better as he continues to garner experience.
Junior Eric Atchley has been a mainstay behind the plate. Atchley is an outstanding defensive catcher and is particularly adept at blocking pitches in the dirt. The backstop has also produced offensively, hitting for both power and average.
Charlie Deffenbaugh has been patrolling centerfield and has done a good job defensively. Deffenbaugh’s presence at the plate, however, has been a particular asset for the Tigers. Deffenbaugh began the season hitting out of the No. 3 hole, but recently has moved into the cleanup spot. The lefty-swinging Deffenbaugh is a solid hitter with power. In a clutch performance a month ago he belted two homers in an impressive Tiger win over Richland.
Deffenbaugh finshed the season with seven homeruns and displayed multiple talents by pitching a seven-inning shutout over Athens Bible School
Kyle Smith and Matthew Smith have been manning the infield corners for the Tigers. Kyle Smith has steadily improved at the plate and has collected several clutch hits as of late. In a home game against Clements, Smith picked up two doubles and drove in the winning run for Ardmore in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Later in the season, Smith belted a Grand Slam homerun in area competition in Moulton.
Matthew Smith is getting steady on defense and his bat is a solid presence in the Tiger lineup. Will Lewis plays shortstop and his speed at the top of the order gives Ardmore a consistent base-stealing threat. Zane Hambay, a versatile player, has contributed in the field and at the plate. Jake Marlow, a recent promotion from the JV Team, is gaining experience and gets better with each passing game. Zach Mitchell also recently came up from the JV and is doing well in limited action.
Jarrod Mullins is another player that is making great strides and his play in right field gets better as he gains valuable experience. Players like Robert Batrum, Matthew Lannom, David Lawhorn, Ryne Strong and Travis Toone have contributed off the bench and are an integral part of the Tigers’ improvement.
Finally, one cannot underestimate the contributions that Coach Lee Walker has made. Walker began the season by stressing fundamentals with the Tigers and helped instill both confidence and a winning attitude in the players. Walker was instrumental in helping each player solidify strong points and improve weak points. As a coach, Walker always went the extra mile in giving individual attention to his players and let it be known that he expected the best from a player every time he walked onto the field.
Walker stressed the importance of not beating yourself. Ardmore improved as the season progressed, making gains in all areas of the game. Players began to consistently hit the cutoff man when making throws from the outfield. Infielders increasingly began to work as a unit and, as a whole, team spirit was exemplary. This attitude can be attributed to the dedication of Walker and his coaching staff.
Ardmore High School’s Varsity Baseball Team worked hard during the 2006 season and that hard work paid off. The team’s solid improvement gives Tiger fans much to look forward to in 2007.
