Through six games the Wildcats are still trying to figure out who they are and what pieces fit best where.
Five out of its six games so far have been decided by six runs or more, leaving Columbia (2-4) to continue looking for the right lineup combinations.
First-year head coach Kyle Lindsey said the Wildcats have won the games they were supposed to win, but they haven’t reached the level of being able to compete with the big dogs just yet.
“You are what your record is, and we’re 2-4 right now,” he said. “I think as the season moves along and we get into our league, this tough schedule we’ve played early is going to do nothing but benefit us.”
The Wildcats began the year Feb. 22 with a dramatic nine-inning win over Class 5A Natchez at home before falling to Greene County 13-7 to wrap up the doubleheader. Then they took a pair of lumps against 6A schools, losing to Oak Grove 11-0 at home Feb. 25 and Petal 11-1 on the road Feb. 27.
Behind 3 RBI performances by Landon Sanders and Clay Powell and a 10-run third inning, the Wildcats picked up their second win Saturday 12-4 over Lumberton. However, Columbia was held to just two hits Monday night at Jones College in a 10-0 loss to West Jones.
Lindsey said so far Carter Smith has been reliable behind the plate, but the infield has yet to be decided. Aiden Singley will likely slot in at shortstop, but Javen Moses, who has been a fixture in the infield, may end up in the outfield depending on what young players step up, according to Lindsey.
“We’ll figure it out, but I think Dylan Wallace and Eli Lowery, two ninth graders, have stepped up, especially on the mound. Luke Stogner has done a good job for us on the mound in JV and varsity. We’ve got some other pieces that it’s going to come down to who can step up when those lights come on,” he explained.
Sophomore Chandler Carver is a returner in the infield. Isaiah Bolton, another sophomore, has gotten some action in the outfield after not playing last year. The Wildcats also have an eighth grader, Collin Haney, who is going to fight for playing time, according to Lindsey, as well.
The Wildcats have walked 35 batters through 38 1/3 innings, and Lindsey said the control problems have as much to do with the competition they’ve played as the pitchers making mistakes.
“When you play teams like Petal, Oak Grove, West Jones and Greene County, it’s tougher to strike those guys out. They spoil a lot of pitches,” he said. “When it comes to seniors on the mound with returning innings, Aiden has really thrown well and Moses has been in a little bit of a funk even though he threw better this Saturday. Cody Jones is kind of getting his feet wet, but other than that we have a lot of sophomores and freshmen that are throwing for us.”
Lindsey added he’s wanted to get the young arms out there early on to see which ones are going to be able to help them in district play, especially with Sanders, who has been an ace the past few years, limited.
“I think once we get our guys back healthy and get into a solid rotation, the numbers will take care of themselves,” he said.
Moses is off to a hot start at the plate with a .467 average with three doubles and 4 RBI, while Sanders and Smith are both hitting .312. Singley has been Columbia’s best arm so far with 11 strikeouts and just one earned run across seven innings.
The Wildcats will play host to Pascagoula Thursday night to kick off the Adidas Tournament, but their opponents for Friday and Saturday are yet to be determined.
