BASEBALL TAB: C.B. Aycock outlook

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 11, 2016 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- A few thoroughbreds left for greener pastures after graduation.

But don't feel too sorry for Charles B. Aycock and head coach Charles Davis.

The Golden Falcons have plenty of horses left in the stable who are more than capable of carrying on a winning tradition established by the senior classes who led the tradition-rich program before them.

Five starters return off last year's team that finished state runner-up in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A playoffs. Davis expects the group -- junior infielder Ashton McGee, Bryce Anders, Cameron Kornegay, Chandler Matthews and Pitt Community College signee Kyle Davis -- to share the leadership role this spring.

"It seems like from year to year, we not only lose good players, but good people," coach Davis said. "Hopefully our seniors this year will step up and fill that void. I was told back early in my career by a long-time veteran coach that you're only as good as your senior leadership. That has been one of the truer pieces of advice that I've gotten."

Aycock's biggest void is the outfield.

Davis has to fill all three positions. He's seen good work from Joey Hampton, Bradley Pate, Jacob Sanford, Mason Watt, utility player Trey Jordan and Bryce Anders -- when he's not behind the plate. Hampton and Pate currently have older brothers playing in the Division I ranks.

Kornegay is replacing McGee, who is moving from third to shortstop in the infield. The trio of Matthews, Pate and Chandler Gentry are vying for second base. Kyle Davis, when he's not on the hill, and lefty Landon Casey will share duties at first base.

Coach Davis expects opposing teams to pay close attention to McGee, who has verbally committed to North Carolina. The six-foot, 200-pounder hit .372 with 15 RBI and two home runs a year ago.

McGee stole 13 bases.

"He'll be in the top of the lineup because we need to try to get him as many at-bats as possible," Davis said. "He's such a good hitter, a patient hitter. Hopefully somebody is going to step up and hit behind him. If people don't pitch to him, he can run so that gives us an advantage on the bases.

"As I tell the kids, we can't be our own bat boy -- bringing our own bat back to the dugout after a strikeout. We've got to try to hit ground balls or line drives to put pressure on the defense. That's our goal every day in practice."

The Golden Falcons have some depth in the bullpen as well.

Kyle Davis finished 3-0 with a 2.56 earned run average in 27-plus innings of work a year ago. Sanford will also eat some innings along with Casey, Jordan, Anders, McGee, Kornegay and Matthews. Casey and Matthews combined for two wins in 13 2/3 innings of action on the rubber.

"I don't know if we'll have anybody overpowering, a dominant type, but I feel like we're going to have some different options," coach Davis said. "If I've got nine guys who can throw strikes, then I feel pretty good with those situations there. I really like our pitching staff."

As always, Aycock enters each season with the expectation of making a deep run into the postseason. Davis doesn't think the team will feel any pressure of upholding the program's tradition, but is more concerned about how the players mesh together.

Wins are undoubtedly crucial due to the seeding process for the playoffs. The Association not only takes into account a team's finish in conference play, but its overall record, also. Davis hopes his team manages to navigate a difficult non-conference schedule with poise that should prepare them for league action.

"I like our work ethic and the way they get after it in practice. I think we'll be OK," Davis said. "We'll take it one day at a time, one game at a time and go from there."

Time to saddle up and ride, boys.