LAURINBURG — Scotland High baseball player Matt Sellers wants the program’s youngest players to understand the mentality that helped take to Scots to the state playoffs last year.
“We’re trying to teach the young kids what we do around here,” the junior said. “When we come to practice, we always have it on a jog. We never walk.”
Those younger players will have chances to step up as the Scots look to fill the voids left by last season’s senior class, a group that included all-conference selection Daly Marcano. The current Southeastern Community College player was Scotland’s best hitter and pitcher last season.
Head coach Chad Hill called Marcano a “special player” who is difficult to replace. Entering his fourth year with the team, Hill said the Scots have several upperclassmen who will step into bigger roles this season.
Hill said rain has hampered his team’s ability to get on the field early in the spring, but he has been impressed with how the Scots played in offseason workouts.
Losing a reliable utility player like Marcano had its repercussions.
“We don’t have that guy on the bump that’s going to strike out double-digits, but we’ve got some arms that can get some outs,” Hill said. “That’s a bright spot. We’ve got some team speed, and our defense has looked good at times in the summer and fall.”
The Scots return some of their best batters from last season. Sellers’ .320 average at the plate was the second-highest mark on the team. He drew more walks (16) than any other returner on this year’s squad.
“I’m just trying to get base hits and get on so the person behind me can score runs,” Sellers said.
Also returning is senior Austin Norton, the team’s RBI leader last season. Norton drove in 18 runs and crossed the plate 19 times, tying Sellers for the most runs scored on the team.
Norton said the senior class, which also includes Bryce Byrd, Tyler Faulk, Storm Graham and Zac Phillips, is trying to pick up the leadership roles left by last year’s graduates.
“We try to be the Daly, the Matt (Hyatt),” Norton said.
Hyatt now plays at Coker College.
“We’re young,” Norton said. “There’s mental things we have to get right. Right now, I think we have a good chance to compete.”
On the mound, the Scots will rely on a group of pitchers that includes junior Michael Johnson, who posted a 4.27 ERA in 41 innings last year. Sophomores Tyler Barfield and Lane Roberson will see playing time on the mound and in the field.
Scotland’s freshman class includes shortstop Parker Byrd, who is already committed to play at East Carolina. Hill said Byrd needs time to get adjusted to high school baseball, but he has the potential to be a “very good player.”
Scotland’s season ended with an 11-1 loss to South Mecklenburg in the first round of the 4A state playoffs. Their new season starts with a home game against Wilmington Ashley at 5 p.m. on Friday. The Scots will then travel to Wilmington on Saturday for a 4 p.m. game at Laney. Sandhills Athletic Conference play starts with a 7 p.m. home game against Jack Britt on Tuesday.
Scotland baseball schedule
Home games in italics
* = Beach Diamond Inv. at West Brunswick
3/1 vs. Wilmington Ashley, 5 p.m.
3/2 at Laney, 4 p.m.
3/5 vs. Jack Britt, 7 p.m
3/8 at Jack Britt, 7 p.m.
3/9 at Page (JV/V DH), 2 p.m.
3/12 vs. Purnell Swett, 7 p.m.
3/14 vs. Anson, 6 p.m.
3/15 at Purnell Swett, 7 p.m.
3/19 at Hoke, 7 p.m.
3/22 vs. Hoke, 7 p.m.
3/23 vs. Marlboro County, 12:05 p.m.
3/26 at Seventy-First, 7 p.m.
3/27 vs. Lee County (JV/V DH), 7 p.m.
3/29 vs. Seventy-First, 7 p.m.
4/2 at Pinecrest, 7 p.m.
4/5 vs. Pinecrest, 7 p.m.
4/9 vs. Lumberton, 7 p.m.
4/10 at Lee County (JV/V DH), 6:30 p.m.
4/12 at Lumberton, 7 p.m.
4/16 at Richmond, 7 p.m.
4/18 vs. Richmond, 7 p.m.
4/22 vs. Northern Guilford*, 1:30 p.m.
