By Chris Parker
Gainesville baseball went 5-5 in the fall, which provided some normalcy being able to get together on the field again after the 2020 spring season was canceled.
“The fall has allowed for the boys to get back to normal again. With the virus, we had to accept a new normal that isn’t necessarily the normal we want, but the fall has allowed us to go to being as close to normal as possible,” Gainesville head coach Blake Hobbs said.
The fall also allowed for the team to acclimate to Hobbs as the new head coach.
“With this being my first year as the coach of Gainesville, it (the fall season) allowed the players and I to build a relationship with one another. They can learn my systems and styles. I also get to experience these players in a game as well and learn how they play,” Hobbs said. “We are extremely young this year and a lot of new faces got a taste of varsity time. The fall has given my fresh faces to the scene a chance to become experienced in this atmosphere.”
Jake Leeker, Landry Jenkins, Bryce Hambelton and Dymon Van Eperen are a quartet of juniors that Hobbs is looking to for leadership.
Leeker is a shortstop and pitcher. He hit .485 in the fall with six of his 16 hits going for extra bases. He was also 3-1 on the mound.
“Jake is a threat in every aspect of the game,” Hobbs said. “He can hit, throw, field and run well. Jake is experienced at the varsity level and has an edge that is tough to beat. He sets the tone of the game at the plate and on the mound.”
Jenkins is a first baseman and pitcher who posted a 2-1 record on the mound and .419 on-base percentage at the plate in the fall.
“Landry is a coach at heart. Very knowledgeable and knows how to handle every situation thrown at him,” Hobbs said. “He sees things happen well before the play starts. Above all else, Landry is arguably one of the toughest competitors you will see.”
Hambelton will see time at catcher, third base and pitcher. He hit .292 with eight RBI in the fall.
“Bryce is stepping into a new role from what he is used to and has excelled at it. His skills behind the plate are very good. He receives it well and has a good arm. Bryce is also a good hitter with the ability to change a game with one swing. Bryce will be a great commander behind the dish,” Hobbs said.
Van Eperen will anchor the outfield in center and also pitch. He had two saves on the mound in the fall with a .300 batting average and .417 on-base percentage.
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“Dymon is who I’d call a silent leader. He can control the outfield very well,” Hobbs said. “Dymon isn’t a very loud kid, but he makes sure every single play is made that he is a part of.”
Sophomores Dade House (third base/utility), Wyatt Alms (second base) and Cooper Friend (third base) along with freshman Andrew Hambelton (first/third base) will all see time on the infield.
Sophomore Aden Yarger will hold down right field. Classmates Bryson Martin and Briar Walrath will each see time in left field. Camdenton Evans (sophomore) and Jarret Hogan (freshman) will also compete for time in the outfield.
Gainesville will look to be strong on pitching and defense while the offense works to catch up.
“We have some extremely good arms on the mound and they will allow us to compete in every game we are in. Our defense was very good this fall, we limited our errors, even when we threw guys in newer positions and I expect it to repeat in the spring,” Hobbs said. “We need to improve offensively. We found ourselves striking out way too much and not being aggressive at the plate. We also need to be better on the bases. I’ll take the blame there too, but we were thrown out on the bases a lot.”
Gainesville opens the season on Mar. 19 at home against Cabool.
