BASEBALL TAB -- Pair of transfers catch attention of Southern Wayne's head coach

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on March 13, 2015 1:48 PM

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aetzler@newsargus.com

DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne coach Jackson Massey is often weary of putting a young freshman on the varsity squad.

But after what Faith Christian Academy transfer Jack Casbarro showed him this summer, Massey knew he had to keep the ninth-grader in a varsity uniform.

"All I have seen are positive things from him," Massey said.

Casbarro is one of the many players who have impressed Massey early this spring. After the Saints lost their two biggest innings eaters on the mound, someone has to step in and fill those innings, and the players have greeted the competition warmly.

"They know that there are a few spots open for them to go after and they all want to get on the field so they have been competing hard for those spots," Massey said.

Jackson Hayes and Kevin Williams, who was also the team's catcher when he was not on the mound, left a big void to be filled on the field and off it. Their leadership drove the Saints to eight wins last season, despite an incredibly tough schedule that prepared them for the playoffs where they pulled off an opening-round upset of Jacksonville.

This year, Matt Holland has quickly stepped in to fill the leadership void Williams and Hayes left, and is one of the many pitchers competing for innings on the mound for the Saints. He will also play in the outfield.

"He has done a really good job being a leader for this group," Massey said. "He is a vocal leader, he leads by example. When he tells the guys to do something they listen to him. He is like having another coach out there."

The Saints learned during the offseason that returning pitcher Jacob Hollingsworth won't get any mound time because of a shoulder injury he suffered during football. Massey has tested the senior's throwing range, but as of now has Hollingsworth penciled in at second base, as opposed to the hot corner, where he played last season.

"We are going to continue to test it out and see how far he can stretch it out," Massey said. "Right now he's in the lead-off spot for us. He has a lot of experience and anytime you have a guy with that kind of experience at the plate it can only help you."

The Saints were steady on the mound last season, led by Hayes and Williams. Southern Wayne posted a 3.81 earned run average as a team. But no returning pitcher threw more than 12 innings last season.

Massey doesn't necessarily think that's a bad thing.

"Inexperience can be good," Massey said. "These guys are hungry to prove themselves anyway and now that spots are open and you have six or seven guys competing for a couple spots, they're going to compete even harder."

Casbarro and Levi Wise, another Faith Christian transfer, are battling at the shortstop position. They're making the decision tough for Massey because each has done everything right since they showed up at Southern Wayne.

Casbarro hit a team-high .571 with three doubles and two triples for FCA last year and Wise batted .400. Those numbers are expected to drop this season facing better competition in the Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference, but that doesn't take away from what they have accomplished.

"These guys have both come in and they aren't talking about what they did at their old school," Massey said. "They have completely bought in and they have worked hard. They have both been impressive."

The Saints look to improve on their hitting this year after batting under .200 as a team last year with just 26 extra- base hits and three times as many strikeouts as walks. Junior Josh Jernigan led the team with a .239 average.

Massey feels good about the potential for a better season.

"They have all brought intensity every day and worked hard," he said. "I'm feeling pretty good about this group of guys. It's exciting."