By Chris Parker
Fair Play baseball has a new head coach in Eric Wallace this season. He takes over a program coming off a two-win season with four combined wins in the past three seasons.
“I want our identity to be a gritty team that embraces the challenge and shows up at the field every day ready to put in work,” Wallace said. “We are not a team with a lot of success the last few years. We need to embrace the fact we are looked at as underdogs this year and show up ready to grind every day until the last pitch. Never stop. Never be discouraged. We will face tough moments, building the resilience to take the game one pitch at a time and not get stuck dwelling on mistakes will be a key focal point as we move forward.”
Kegan Anderson and Cooper Alexander will lead the pitching rotation in their senior seasons.
“Kegan Anderson and Cooper Alexander will be our top two arms heading into the season,” Wallace said. “Their success will be dependent on them controlling the zone. Both guys have good movement on all their pitches and when they are in the zone, that will keep us in a lot of games this year.”
Sophomore Donald Potter will be a key pitcher out of the bullpen.
Brett Delozier (sophomore) and Alexander will be catching.
“This will be Cooper’s first year behind the plate but has skills that will be an asset for us and keep our lineup versatile,” Wallace said. “Brett is our most experienced behind the plate and having him behind the plate will be good for our young pitchers as bullpens start up and they build rapport with each other.”
Anderson, Potter, Delozier, Riley Bruce (sophomore), and Shain Dooley (senior) will be around the infield.
Maddox Brown (senior), Austin Duti (sophomore) and Potter appear to be top options in the outfield.
Anderson, Alexander and Bruce were identified as team leaders by Wallace.
“Kegan Anderson has endured a lot of tough times entering his fourth season as a varsity starter. His calmness and resilience to continue pushing forward will be a solid example for our team, especially the younger guys experiencing varsity baseball for the first time,” Wallace said. “Cooper Alexander is more of a vocal presence for our team. He is an outspoken teammate that will motivate teammates throughout the season. Keeping him positive will spread through the team and keep the team engaged. Riley Bruce is a natural born leader. He brings a constant source of positive energy to the dugout that is needed and it’s combined with a work ethic that will set an example for our team this year and for years to come. While he may be just a sophomore, he is looked to and respected by players of all grades and experience levels.”
Wallace hopes resilience will be a strength for the team this season.
“Our biggest strength comes from the fact that our guys have experienced some tough times the past few seasons,” Wallace said. “The older guys on the team have fought through these tough times and built a resilience that will serve them, and our team, well as we take the next steps in growing as a program.”
Fair Play opens the season on Mar. 21 at home against Walnut Grove.
“I think we have the players and potential to have the best season Fair Play baseball has had in a few years,” Wallace said. “I want to see our guys go out there and learn how to compete. We have a handful of seniors, but the rest of the team is looking to gain experience at the varsity level, some are even experiencing competitive sports for the first time. If we can learn how to play hard and how to handle the mental side of all that comes with baseball, this season will be a success and set our program in the right direction.”
