By Sophia Riedi
With a 4-1-1 start to the season, the Buchholz Bobcats Baseball team is doing well under the leadership of Coach Ron Brooks.
On Tuesday night, the Bobcats defeated Forest (Ocala) 9-1 in district play at home to win their fourth straight game.
“We should have very reliable starting pitching,” said Coach Brooks.
This showed last night when the Sonic Drive-In Player-of-the-Game, pitcher Caden Kresak, struck out six of the first nine Forest batters he faced. Kresak has 27 strikeouts already this season.
Buchholz had six seniors graduate last spring in a season that was cut short due to COVID-19.
Coach Brooks said that younger players on the team “must step up and fill some holes left by an outstanding senior class.”
Freshman Noah Hayes has already made an impact this season with a .412 AVG and seven hits.
Games to look out for this season include Creekside (St. Johns) this Saturday, March 13, and Sarasota on April 10, along with all district and county games.
“Like every year,” Brooks said. “Our schedule is extremely tough and our district is one of the best in the state.”
2021 Baseball Preseason Outlook
Coach’s name: Ron Brooks
Years as head coach: 17
2021 Class/District/Region: 6A Region 1 District 2
2020 Overall Record: 7-2
Number of returning starters: 5
Sr. —#1 Caden Kresak (P/CF)
Sr. —#10 Brett Blair (SS)
Sr. —#22 Dario Astudillo (C/1B)
Jr. —#12 Jackson Greene (1B/3B)
Sr. —#19 Jackson Peters (P)
Key losses: Luke Baker (now pitching at Ole Miss), Corbin Grantham (Mississippi State), Austin Akey (Santa Fe College), Parker Greene
Other players to watch: Noah Hayes (Fr., C), Kyle Brewer (Soph., 3B), Cole Smithers (Sr., 2B), Donny Hiebert (Soph., CF)
Key games: “All of our district games, Sarasota, all county games, Creekside.”
Outlook for 2021: “Excited to see how respond to having our season cut short last year. We have eight returning seniors who should add valuable leadership to our ball club. It should be a very fun and exciting 2021 season!” —Coach Ron Brooks.
