By Thomas Sellers Jr.
One of the largest and most decorated classes of Brighton Baseball graduated in 2019.
Cardinals Skipper Ryan Wood misses that bunch and can keep up with a few of them on the next level. But as March hits the calendar, Wood is focusing more on his returning players trying to stay atop of District 13-3A.
The past two seasons Brighton has bid farewell to a Mr. Baseball finalist Eli Davis, a Division I signee Dalton Rushing and collegiate-level player who hit nearly .400 in Dylan Forbes.
“You’re not going to recreate that talent,” Wood said. “All you can do is try to get guys on and try to move them over. If we get guys on third base with less than 2 outs, we’ve got to get them in.
“We base run well,” he continued. “Our guys have taken to base running. Of course you can’t replace those guys. But you try to recreate them strategically – the money ball approach.”
To begin the process of replacing all that offense, Wood said it starts by limiting your opponents’ production.
“We’re strong on defense,” he noted. “I feel like up the middle we look good. We also have four returning pitchers who have us a lot of innings.
“About six or seven who have developed, so I feel we have a pretty good pitching staff,” he continued. “We’re just trying to build on what we did last year as far as goals. Some guys are going to have to step up in new roles.”
The Cardinals have four returning starters and a few role players back in the overall lineup.
As for the rotation, Wood said Brighton will have some experienced arms taking the mound. As for declaring a No. 1 and No. 2 starter for district, Wood said March will tell.
“It’s a work in progress,” he said. “But Hunter Deering did pitch a lot of innings for us last year. Logan Rushing had some good starts. Jacob Buchanan stepped up and Kaleb Baskin threw quite a bit in relief, also Eli Simpson threw quite a bit.”
Brighton’s March schedule is located with quality opponents to test and prepare his pitchers for the District 13-3A schedule featuring Liberty, Hardin County, Dyer County and Munford.
Key Cardinals that will need to contribute in order to outlast their rivals are Sam Dunlap, William Golding, Jacob Olivette, Michael Willis and Michael Armour.
“The fact these guys were sophomores and juniors the last two years we’ve won districts,” Wood concluded, “as far as getting there we’re going to work out way there with our schedule. Senior leadership on the field and roles off the field will help us build a winning atmosphere that will help us out.”
