Coach Clayton Atwood’s Marietta Indians baseball team returns all but one player from
last spring’s squad.
“Even though we bring back a good amount of experience, that experience is still
covered in youth,” said Atwood.
The team does return three seniors in Brian Sanchez, Tucker Kirk, and Brad Kirk, but all
three have battled injuries throughout their careers and don’t have as much experience
because of it.
“But our younger players who played last year have progressed incredibly,” continued
Atwood.
In addition to its three senior members, the team fields three juniors, four sophomores,
and five freshmen for a total of 15 players.
On the mound as district pitchers this year will be junior Dillon Trail, senior Brian
Sanchez, and sophomores Trace Porter and Seth McMillin.
“Our pitching staff will be all hands on deck,” explained Atwood. “It’s tough to stretch out
a full season on the mound when you have so few players. It isn’t a bad thing, it just
provides opportunities for these young men to learn from their experience and to
develop. Facing good hitters is the best experience a young pitcher can have.”
Atwood expects all of the pitching staff to get quality district experience early in the
season, with younger pitchers throwing a large number of innings early in the season to
see how they will respond.
The team’s Thursday through Saturday arms will be sophomores Dylian Flores and
Kasen Lott and freshmen Brody Gillham, Cooper Carroll, and Josh Gomez, who will see
competition early in the year to be prepared for May playoffs.
Playing outfield for the Indians will be Brian Sanchez, Brad Kirk, Cooper Carroll, and
Tucker Kirk. In the infield, Brian Sanchez will play shortstop and second base. Dylian
Flores will return at third base. Trace Porter and Josh Gomez will play second base.
At first base, Seth McMillin and Cooper Carroll will share time. At short stop, Dillon Trail,
Brian Sanchez, and Kasen Lott, who will also play catcher, will all see reps.
“Although we bring back our entire infield from a year ago, it is an infield covered with
youth,” stated Atwood.
Offensively, the team will lean on the entire roster to execute a small ball style of play.
“We will look to run bags hard and be tough outs at the plate from one through nine,”
commented Atwood. “From a statistical standpoint, we will be leaning on Dillion Trail
and Brian Sanchez to put up big numbers at the plate this spring. And the twins Tucker
and Brad Kirk will be tough to throw out with the speed I put at the bottom of the lineup.
“We will spread it out throughout the whole lineup to put pressure on the opponents
defense every inning.”
Atwood also looks to see Dylian Flores and Trace Porter have huge jumps from their
freshmen to sophomore seasons. From a leadership perspective, Atwood will lean on
his seniors.
“I’ll depend on them to lead the way, not only with how we play, but how we approach
practice every day,” he said. “When it gets tough, these guys will be who I am looking to
keep the energy up and keep focused on the effort and discipline.”
Atwood and his team have several in-house goals and have already been put in tough
situations early in the season.
“I want them to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” declared Atwood. “True growth is
made outside of your comfort zone, not just in baseball, but in life. Getting better at
baseball and winning games is a byproduct of these young men striving to better
themselves every day.
“It’s the focus on details and the effort that separate you from the rest. We are not trying
to make great baseball players. We are trying to make great husbands and fathers.
These young men have bought in to our program and I am blessed to be a part of their
journey and get a front row seat to their development. I can’t wait to see their hard work
pay off throughout the spring.”