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Hitting their stride: Lions gain momentum before district
By Richard C. White, rwhite@starlocalnews.com
After starting the season alternating between wins and losses, the McKinney baseball team has slid into a groove in its final games before district.
"We addressed going into this weekend that these four games are dress rehearsal and that's the way we were going to address them from a substitution standpoint, from a pitching change, to a pinch hitter, or pinch runner," said Jeremy Price, McKinney head coach. "From players and coaches we are approaching these games like they're district ball games and I feel we've done that."
The Lions (9-4) have won their first three games in this weekend's Denison Invitational, and six of their last seven overall. McKinney was 3-3 before this current stretch.
McKinney trounced Fort Worth Brewer, 13-0, Thursday in the tournament's first game before beating Prosper, 8-0, and then Little Elm, 6-2, for a 27-2 combined margin of victory.
"We're getting out of it what we need to get out of it," Price said. "We're getting to look at a lot of different lineups and different kids in different places and that's what high school baseball tournaments are for. We're looking for as many answers as we can heading into district play."
The Lions have a senior-heavy roster accounting for 11 of their 16 players. While most of the starting nine are set, Price said there are still a few positions that are up in the air.
"Most of the key pieces are in place," he said. "At this point, the week before district, it's starting to be finalized, the last two or three spots that we're looking at."
Left fielder Trevor Duggan and catcher Dalton Harris are two of the main players who will help lead the Lions' offensive charge this season.
"Trevor is swinging the bat really well for us right now," Price said. "He's been very productive offensively. And Dalton leads us from behind the plate. He's provided great leadership from back there and he's also swinging the bat well. He leads us in batting average with runners in scoring position."
Outfielder Avery Arnold is another player who has impressed Price.
"Avery, our starting center fielder, has done a really good job defensively," he said. "And his offense has started to turn around here in the last few games."
As for their pitching rotation, the Lions are led by starters Brad Vassar and Brett Gannaway.
"Right now our main starters are our two juniors, Brad and Brett," Price said. "They've taken that role. Both of them took advantage of a great opportunity when they were sophomores. They were on the varsity and got their innings in and that experience has paid dividends for them this year. We've seen a real maturity process takes place physically and mentally at this level."
The Lions are not only excelling with a potent offense to go with their dominant pitching, but they have also displayed strong defensive play. McKinney didn't commit any errors in its first two games of the tournament.
These various factors have combined to give Price an encouraging feeling as the Lions charge full steam heading into their 7:30 p.m. district opener Tuesday at home against Plano Senior.
"Momentum and just an overall positive feel about what you're doing will have a huge impact on the way you play the game," he said. "When that's the case, the results are usually pretty favorable for you."
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