By By Chandler Myers
Play from the mound will be pivotal this season for the Escambia Academy Cougars baseball team as they make a run for a regional title.
The Cougars have a young team that has leadership, but is looking for consistency.
Escambia Academy athletic director Heath Gibson said the theme of this year’s team seems to be pitching.
The pitching staff that seems to be the crown jewel of the Cougars is still fixing in its rotation as the season approaches.
Senior Jeff Price, junior Jon Dean and sophomore Keaton Maher have all shown off their throwing arm in practice.
Gibson said these players have been putting the ball into the catcher’s mitt with no problem.
Aside from pitching, the play of the infield seems to be another strength that could help the Cougars win ballgames.
Gibson said the middle of the infield is strong. He added that Maher has shown talent off the mound at first-base as well.
Weakness in the field for the Cougars is sitting behind the plate.
Gibson said several players have been practicing at catcher, but there has not been a clear front-runner.
Offensively, the Cougars are still working to see how well they will be at hitting the ball.
Gibson said the progress of hitting will be seen over the course of the first games.
The schedule for the Cougars should produce tough contests with region and non region opponents.
Gibson said the main issue of interest for the Cougars is going to be traveling.
The Cougars first game is March 3 at Patrician Academy.