By: Taylor Herring
At the beginning of a new season of baseball, both the players and the coaching staff are excited to begin. After weeks of rigorous practice, the team’s hard work is about to finally pay off. The team is still adjusting to a new coach, but they feel confident about this year’s season. Senior Scott Weathersby, starting pitcher, feels that the upcoming season will be very successful. “With our new coach, the team has different strategies and focuses, and we’ve developed a fresh outlook on the season,” Weathersby said. The coaches feel the team has quite an opportunity this year to be proactive offensively. With a strong starting lineup and confident staff, the team should improve each day.
Saturday, February 20th, the team competed in a scrimmage game against Purvis, winning 7-1. If that game was any indication to the way the rest of the season will play out, the team has little to worry about. The Warriors also played Presbyterian Christian School and East Marion, and both games were concluded by the ten run rule, 13-1 and 20-3, respectively. If the team is able to maintain a high level of confidence and continue with focused practicing, they should have no problem having a successful season.
Q&A
Q: Where all did you coach before coming to Oak Grove?
A: Through the years, I’ve coached football and baseball at Laurel High School, Raleigh High School, Taylorsville High School, and Wayne County High School.
Q: Did you play baseball, or any other sports, throughout school?
A: Yes, I played baseball and football for Laurel High School. At Laurel I played shortstop and pitcher in baseball, and wide receiver, defensive back, and kicker in football. I went on to play both baseball and football at Jones County Junior College. After that, I was the 2nd and 3rd basemen and punter at The University of Mississippi.
Q: How do you feel about your new team at Oak Grove?
A: I feel confident in the boys, the program, and the support for Oak Grove baseball. The boys have been working very hard and continue to improve each and every day. I am excited about my coaching staff, and I hope the boys continue to work hard and focus on our main goal.
Q: What are some strong points of the team?
A: We have a very deep pitching staff, which will keep us in all of our games.
Q: Does the team have any weaknesses they still need to overcome?
A: We have a chance to be really good offensively; however, we need to do a better job on our pitch selection. We have a tendency to swing at bad pitches.
Q: Have you ever competed in a state championship?
A: As a player at Laurel High School, we were Class 4A State Champions three years in a row. As a coach at Wayne County, we were the 4A State Champs in 2006.
Q: Who do you think will be Oak Grove’s stiffest competition this season?
A: At district, it will probably be Meridian and Brandon. Non-district will be Petal, Madison Central, Sumrall, Clinton, and Jackson Prep.
Q: As a head coach, what is the most important lesson you wish to teach your team?
A: I wish to instill character, hard work, and priorities in these boys. These priorities in order are God, family, school, and finally: baseball. I want them to love and respect the game, but to never take their abilities for granted. Most importantly, I want them to give thanks to the one responsible for it all: God.
