by: Laura Prehn
Staff Reporter
Baseball season is up and running, and the Warriors couldn’t be playing any better. In their longest winning streak in several years, they now stand at an impressive 22-1. Although none of this year’s players are new to varsity baseball, they possess a dedication and solidarity that enables them to play harder than ever before. Many of the seniors have been playing together for several years, and their relationships and ability to work together gives them an edge.
This season has proved both challenging and exciting so far. Most recently, on April 10, the Warriors faced rival Hattiesburg and pulled out an impressive 8-6 win.
Oak Grove sluggers Tyler Odom and Jansen Bounds have both led the team to victories with huge homeruns. Odom helped the Warriors overcome Vicksburg with three homers while Bounds homered twice in a win over Gulfport.
In addition to successful hitting, one of the team’s greatest assets this year is their number of talented pitchers, including, but not limited to, sophomore Kirk McCarty. McCarty, a starter for two years now, is one of the strongest pitchers on the team. McCarty’s biggest claim to fame was pitching a no-hitter at the Meridian game earlier this season. Spoken like a true athlete, McCarty said, “I love to compete, and I love being out on the field with my teammates.” The Warriors have had only one loss this season, one many would like to forget against Petal. Surprisingly, McCarty admits that the Petal game was the most memorable of the season. “That loss motivates us to keep up the hard work and never give up,” McCarty said. He, like most of the players, is focused on just one ambition. “The goal is to make it to state and win,” he said. “I think we have a good chance.” A predictable goal, yes, but perhaps more attainable than ever before.
There’s a lot of talent on this team, and the possibility of making it to State is looking good. The Warriors have raced through the first half of the season with flying colors, and the remainder of the season promises to be just as, if not more, thrilling for the players and fans alike.
