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2020 Bears Baseball

Baseball Michael D. Gunnell, Southwest Sports Information

A look at 2020 Bears baseball

As the Bears baseball team gets ready for the first pitch of the 2020 season, sixth-year head coach Ken Jackson is looking for big things from his team.
 
"We always expect big things," Jackson state. "The coaches and players have worked hard and prepared for the upcoming season. We have a lot of talent on this team, but they must go out and perform up to their abilities."
 
Jackson said fans of the Bears will see a team "that's going to play hard every pitch, every game. I think this team will be fun to watch because of the way they play the game-hard! We will try to be aggressive offensively to put pressure of the defense and fill the zone up from our pitching staff."
 
One of the question marks for the Bears will be a pitching staff that, according to Jackson, "has some quality arms, but lacks experience." The lone returner with experience is Brandon High School's Jack Hilton who saw action in 11 games last season.
 
Jackson said Keith McKigney (Maurepas, LA-Springfield High School) will move from a closer role to the starting rotation. Rigell Robinson (Pearl River Central High School) will be back as a starter after being sidelined most of last season with an injury. "He has great pitching ability," Jackson said, "but lacks the college experience."
Sophomore Britt Netterville (Centreville Academy) will be used as a closer while fellow sophomore Jacob McDaniel (Adams County Christian School) will switch from the bullpen to a starting role.
 
The Bears have several freshmen who will be counted on for quality innings on the mound. Jackson said Nic Scucchi (Oak Grove High School) and Chase Guitreau (Maurepas, LA, High School) will begin the season in starting roles.
 
The Bears will have several rookies coming out of the bullpen-Josh Bailey (Madison St. Joe High School), Micah Benford (Morton High School), Logan Hartfield (Perry Central High School), Jacob Hutchinson (Raleigh High School), Justin Jones (Northpoint Christian School), Garret McLaurin (West Jones High School), Brady Windham (Richland High School) and Tanner Wells (Wayne County High School).
 
Giving the Bears depth behind the plate are sophomore Easton Porter (Morton High School), a part-time starter in 2019, along with freshmen Braydon Coffey (Parklane Academy) and Parker Sharff (Purvis High School).
 
Looking at the Bears' infield, Jackson said he has two starters returning who will again see action but at different positions from last season. Logan Larrimore (Parklane Academy) will move from second base to third while Netterville moves from third to short.
 
Redshirt freshman Mason Barker (Livonia, LA-Catholic Pointe Coupee High School), a transfer from Nichols State University, "will provide maturity at second base," Jackson said, "and will slide over to short when Netterville pitches."
 
Jackson said McKigney "will provide shortstop defensive ability at first base" while Bailey at third or second, Parker Phillips (North Pike High School) at third and Wyatt Buck (Madison St. Joe High School) and Blake Cherry (Northpoint Christian School) at first will help provide depth.
 
Shifting to the Bears' outfield, Jackson said he has "one returning starter" in DJ Lewis (Warren Central High School), "one making the move from the infield to the outfield", in Cody Ellzey (Seminary High School) and "one player who saw limited time last year" in Landan Stewart (Warren Central High School). "But, between the three," Jackson said, "we have a lot of at bats. They will have to play under fire early to gain much-needed experience in the field."
 
Also looking to provide help to the Bears in the outfield are sophomore Jaydon Cowan (Murrah High School), who redshirted in 2019, as well as freshmen Ajani Johnson (Richland High School) and Kolin Thompson (Resurrection Catholic School). 
 
Asked for his thoughts on the shape of the MACJC in 2020, Jackson said the conference "is as good as (any) in the country from top to bottom. There are several teams that have the talent and experience to win the conference. But, the game of baseball has a lot of variables to determine the outcome of contests."
 
As far as his team's chances of securing a spot in the post-season, Jackson said his team "has the drive and determination to make some noise in this league and we look forward to the challenge."
 
Joining Jackson in the dugout for his third season as assistant coach is Austin Biggs. New in the dugout is first-year assistant Corley Reynolds.
 
The Bears open the campaign on February 7 in Pineville, LA, with a 1:00 doubleheader against the Louisiana College JV before making their home debut on February 11 with a 2:00 twinbill against Baton Rouge Community College.
 
 
 
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