North Pike has one of the elite teams in 4A baseball once again and has a chance to do something very special this year.
The Jaguars are currently undefeated in Region 6-4A action and have just one loss for the entire season. They lost to St. Stanislaus last season in the South State Championship in a best-of-three series.
Most of the key athletes from last year’s roster are back and making key contributions.
What is most impressive about North Pike’s roster is they play as a team. You don’t see that one outstanding athlete who will impress you with his greatness, but everyone is a solid contributor up and down the lineup.
The Jaguars are probably one of the most unselfish high school baseball teams I have ever seen. Many of the players are interchangeable at multiple positions in the field.
Seniors Ben Coney and Brantley Hughes along with junior Matthew Phillips are all very capable of playing second base.
Coney and Hughes also play shortstop, while Phillips is normally an outfielder. This has been key to the team’s success because Coney is also No. 1 in the pitching rotation.
Coney’s first position in the infield is at shortstop. When Coney is on the mound or moves to second base because his arm needs rest, Hughes fills in at shortstop. Hughes’ main position is second base.
Phillips does all the little things for the team without complaint. He prefers to play in the middle infield, but is normally in the outfield because that is what is best for the team. He prides himself on getting down sacrifice bunts to advance runners and stealing bases.
Many players have stepped up in the pitching rotation for the Jaguars. Hughes, junior Cade Killingsworth and senior Connor Travis are just some of the athletes who have played a role on the mound for North Pike. Senior center fielder Jacob Gill gives the team stability at the leadoff position in the lineup, while senior third baseman Jonah Bankston has made some very solid defensive plays. Bankston made a key double play to end an inning at home against South Pike when the Eagles had the bases loaded with just one out.
Everyone bought into the team concept, and that is a credit to head coach George Lott and his assistants.
North Pike plays McComb three times this week and South Pike once. Realistically, the Jaguars should be the favorites, but I would not count McComb out as the Tigers have greatly improved under new head coach Matt White.
If the Jaguars take care of business, they could be playing against Lawrence County for the district championship next week. The Cougars are also undefeated in district play.
I do not know what will happen, but it will sure be exciting to watch.
