Eagles’ depth a boon for 2022
Competition at a number of positions gives Holliday head coach Brad Blassingame a positive outlook for the 2022 campaign. In spite of a loaded district and region, the Eagles’ skipper is confident his squad has what it takes to compete for a district and regional championship.
“We’ve got a super tough district this year,” Blassingame said. “Almost everybody in the district has everybody back. Our goal this year is to win a district championship and make a deep run in the playoffs. Our region is very talented this year. Six of the top 10 teams are in Region I. We want to be at a level where we can compete with those guys and try to make a run to the state tournament. The good thing about this year’s team is there’s a lot of competition. It’s going to be whoever is hottest and hitting the ball well at the time. Those guys have done a good job of accepting that and competing for those spots.”
The biggest question surrounding this Holliday team is who is going to step up on the mound. With graduation taking the likes of Connor Cox (7-0, 1.18 ERA, 54 K, 35.2 IP) and Hadley Harrigal (3-2, 2.79 ERA, 52 K, 42.2 IP), the Eagles have a pair of big shoes to fill in the starting rotation. Grant Cox and Cooper Turner both shined in their varsity debuts last season while Peyton Marchand and Dalton Anderson are both expected to contribute on the bump this spring.
“I’m really happy with the rotation that we’ll have,” Blassingame said. “I think pitching is going to be our strength this year. If we can be able to push some runs across, we’ll be successful.”
Marchand is back after an all-state campaign as the Eagles’ backstop. The Holliday leadoff man hit .360 with 10 doubles, a triple and homer to go along with 17 RBI and 42 runs scored.
“Peyton is a natural-born leader,” Blassingame said of his catcher. “He loves to compete and he does things the right way. He’s great at working with the younger kids. He leads by example. He’s great in the classroom too. I think he’s valedictorian of his class. He’s one of those kids you always hope you get to coach and a guy you want on your team because he’s almost like having another coach on the field.”
At first base, Anderson returns as a three-year starter although he is expected to see an expanded role on the pitching staff. The senior hit the cover off the ball for Holliday last season, hitting .405 with five doubles, four triples and three homers while driving in 26 and scoring 23 runs. He posted a blistering OPS (on-base+slugging pct.) of 1.286 while logging a 4-1 record on the mound with a 1.27 ERA. In 22 innings, he allowed just four earned runs while striking out 17 and walking five. When Anderson sees time on the rubber, expect Layne Owen to fill in.
“Dalton is a great player for us. He’s one of the leaders on the team as a senior with experience. He knows what I ask of the team. I expect him this year to be our anchor in the lineup, somewhere in the middle of the order, that can hit for power and rack up a lot of RBI. Layne will be in the mix there at first base. He’s a big strong kid that can hit for power.”
Isaac Villa should be a household name in the Holliday community for the next few seasons as the Eagles’ second baseman. After missing the majority of last season due to injury, the sophomore is now healthy and poised for a breakout campaign. He came up big with a pair of hits in the postseason last year and has shown great potential through the early goings this season.
“Isaac missed a lot of last year with his arm injury but he’s off to a super hot start this year. With a smaller strike zone he’s going to have a great on-base percentage. If it’s there, he has great hands to put it in play and not just little line drives. He can work gap-to-gap and get on base.”
Caden Shank slides over to shortstop after starting 30 games at second base a season ago. He hit .324 with 13 RBI and 21 runs scored in 2021 and hopes to build off that success.
“Caden is one of our senior leaders. He’s played middle infield all four years. He was on the otherside for us last year playing second. He has a strong arm and is a hard worker and does a great job of being the quarterback of our infield.”
At third base, Blassingame believes Tate Mahan will hold down the hot-corner most of the time but depending on who’s pitching, that could change. Anderson and Marchand are two other options the Eagles’ head coach mentioned might see action there.
“Tate is one of those hard-nosed guys to have at the hot corner that’s not afraid to step in there and knock it down. He’s a hustler. He’s going to go 110% every time he’s in there. It’s good to have a guy over there that’s not afraid to sacrifice everything for his team.”
If there’s any position group that is absolutely loaded with competition, it’s the outfield. From JT DeLuna to Grant Cox to Jaden Jones to Jaxx Johnson to Zach Carroll to Caleb Tyler any combination of three of those six could start on any given night.
“Our outfield is going to be a mix depending on who’s pitching and who’s hot at the plate. We’ve got a handful of guys that I’m comfortable with sticking out there. We don’t have just a top three. It’ll be an outfield by committee.”
DeLuna has gotten the early nod in left field through a couple tournaments while Cox is expected to see most of the action in center when he’s not on the mound. Jones is someone the Eagles could fit in any of the three spots.
“JT’s been playing left a lot early this year and he’s off to a hot start. He’s done a great job so far as a converted infielder and he’s really embraced that role. Grant and Jaden both have speed. They both have rocket arms and can get lots of outfield assists and hose people at any base.”
One of the unsung heroes of the Eagles squad is junior Landon Matthews.
“Landon is an absolute team player for us. He’s willing to do anything you ask. Any position you want to throw him out there at, he’ll go do it and go compete. He’ll give 110%. If you need him to fill up the water or run the GameChanger, he’s your guy. He’s a team-player you want on your team that’s willing to accept his role on the team and do whatever it takes for his teammates.”
If the Eagles can shore up the rotation and scratch across a few runs, this team is certainly a threat for a deep postseason run.
