Dragons scuffling in early season
Isaiah Slaven slides safely into third under a leaping Union County defender. The Dragons lost 15-6. (photo:Collin Riggs )
The Dragons traveled to Union County on Friday, March 22, to face the Patriots, walking away with their fourth loss, losing 15-6.
While the start has been rough for the Dragons, Coach Rob Stacy said that he’s expected this in some ways, and he’s not disappointed in the team.
“I can’t be upset with my guys at all,” he said. “They’re competing and doing everything we ask them to do and we’re playing some really solid teams. Union County has a great team, and they’re going to be tough in their district this year. That’s what we’re going to see a lot this year: a lot of tough teams.
“We’re trying to get these guys some good matchups, and some good growth. This week we’re going to Nashville and playing Cookeville.”
Colby Holbrook was the starting pitcher for the Mavs at Union County, coming in for three innings and finishing with 12 first-strike pitches and four strikeouts.
“Colby does extremely good job for us every time he pitches,” said Stacy. “He’s put himself in a position to really help our team. He’s changed himself in the weight room, put in the work to become a leader, and he never gets rattled. That’s the biggest thing, that he never gets rattled.
“I think Andrew Weeks, while he struggled at the plate, did a really great job defensively and coming in when we really needed some strikes. That’s what I love about some of these seniors, that they’ve got a lot of fight in them.”
While the Dragons have done well defensively, they have struggled at the plate. Still, even while acknowledging that, Stacy said he doesn’t think it’s fair to say the team’s batting is at all “bad.”
“We’re struggling to get hits, but our plate approach is great,” Stacy said. “We’re doing a great job in that aspect, but we’re trying now to string those hits. We’re struggling, but we’re not struggling to the point where I’d say our hitting is bad in any way. But we just have to have a bit more success at it.”
Even with the rough start to the season, Stacy said he still has to brag about his team – and that he’s still enjoying being at the fields with them every day.
“It’s been a tough start to the season, but I like that – because we’re challenging ourselves with quality teams and we’re in all these games to a point,” the coach said. “What I really love about this team right now is that, even with struggles, I haven’t had a day where I didn’t want to come to the field.
“It’s enjoyable to come and be with these guys because I know they are doing the best they can, they’re doing what we ask of them.
“It’s always ‘yes, sir’ and ‘no, sir’ and it’s great. It’s just great to coach them.”