A baseball team fields nine players at a time. The pitchers usually change game by game, but the rest of the positions are virtually set. For the Leopards, six out of those eight unchanging positions are held by seniors. The other two starting positions however are held by two of the two youngest players on the team: sophomore shortstop, Chase Tucker and freshman left fielder, Jacob Parrott.
These two underclassmen have brought more to the team than what most people realize. Tucker, who has been on the team since the beginning of the season, has a batting average of .295, and Parrott has a batting average of .282 and 4 home runs, second most on the team to senior, Tanner DeVinny.
Tucker, who is also a varsity football player, has impressed on both the football and baseball field.
“Chase has helped the team by playing solid defense at shortstop,” head coach Russell Reichenbach said. “Offensively, Chase has been able to get on base pretty consistently and provide some production at the bottom of the lineup.”
Tucker’s past experience has greatly helped his current success.
“I started playing ball when most kids do, in tee ball,” Tucker said. “I started playing select ball when I was 9 and I have been playing since.”
Through his varsity experience, Tucker has grown as a player.
“I’ve definitely grown through getting so many at bats,” Tucker said. “I get better with every rep whether it’s in a game or at practice. Also, playing on the varsity team has really just made my love for the game grow because we truly play as a team and not as individuals.”
Tucker is the only underclassmen in the infield. The four seniors, however, work incredibly well with Tucker.
“I think it is a mix of a couple things that have led to the success of Tucker working with the all senior infield,” Reichenbach said. “Chase came into it with a good attitude, and was willing to learn how to play with the upperclassmen. The seniors did a good job of working with Chase and helping him succeed. Without a doubt, Chase’s biggest strength is his attitude. He comes to practice everyday with a great attitude and is constantly working to get better. He wants to do well, and is willing to work hard to achieve that.”
Parrott, who was called up to the varsity football team towards the end of the season, and the varsity baseball team mid-season is a sight to see at 6’2”, 189 lbs.
“Jacob has played solid defense in left field,” Reichenbach said. “He has also provided some good at bats and power potential to our lineup offensively.
Parrott’s at bats have continued to improve as he hit two home runs against 5A Richland in a pre-playoff game.
There are some challenges though at facing teams with players and pitchers who have four more years of experience under their belts, but Parrott is adjusting with grace.
“He is learning how varsity pitchers pitch, and he will continue to learn that,” Reichenbach said. “It’s not just all fastballs. Jacob is adjusting to seeing good pitches, and is continuing to work on hitting those good pitches. I think everyday he has gotten more comfortable at the plate and he is having better at bats.”
While Parrott may not have much varsity experience, he has plenty of high level baseball experience.
“I started playing select ball at eight years old,” Parrott said. “Since then we’ve been traveling a lot. I’ve played basically all over the country, from New York to the Valley to Florida and many places in between. I’ve been to multiple showcase tournaments and really love the game.”
This love for the game is evident on the field.
“Jacob’s biggest strength is his approach to the game. He doesn’t care that he is a freshman, he wants to do well right now whether it be offense or defense,” Reichenbach said. “Jacob wants to be the best he can be, regardless of how old he is.”
The team is set to play a three game series against Longview Pine Tree High School in the Bi-District round of playoffs. The first game of the series is Thursday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Longview Pine Tree. The second game is Saturday, May 4 at home at 2:00 p.m. and if the need be, the third game will be played immediately after.
