MARION, S.C. — Marion baseball coach Hal Lambert and Mullins baseball coach Mullins coach Johnathan Elliott had their two teams meet this week in a pair of home and home rivalry games but the match-up also allowed the two junior varsity squads to get in on the action and help improve the programs.
Lambert and the Swamp Foxes are off to a 5-3 start and 4-0 in region play.
“We graduated nine players but got a few that came back,” Lambert said of the team.
Senior Jameir Legette returns after being named all-region last season and all-state as a sophomore.
“His stats were better last year,” Lambert said of Legette. “He has the baseball IQ and athleticism to do it all. He can run, throw and pitch.”
Senior Tyrice Davis also returns with a few called up from the junior varsity team. Ni’Jel Smith, Jamori Jones and Caden Hilbourne also help add some experience.
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“It’s been a lot of growing pains right now,” Lambert said. “A bunch of our guys that are starting now have came up in the previous two years playing junior varsity. If you’re going to build a program you got to have it.”
Lambert said he has a few players filling their roles. The team finished region runner-up the past two seasons splitting with Andrews.
“The region has gotten even tougher,” he said. “It’s a challenge which is better because if you make the playoffs, you will be more prepared.”
Elliott said the team has got up to six games under their belt heading into Friday’s 16-4 loss to Marion. The Auctioneers started off both games with junior varsity games before ending the night with varsity action.
“This is the first time that we have had a junior varsity team since 2010,” Elliott said. “We got a bunch of guys out here. I’ve been fighting for it in my three years of coaching.”
Elliott said he was happy to have the numbers and player participating.
“The future is what we’re here for and we’re trying to build for the future,” he said. “Some of our varsity guys are helping to coach too. It’s helpful to let the junior varsity players get the experience and batting out the way and not wait until varsity to have those tough at-bats.”
Elliott said he has several seniors leading the squad like Lonnie Alston and hopes to follow up last season’s playoff berth with a playoff win this season.
Mullins hosts Green Sea Floyds Thursday while Marion welcomes Latta to town.
