2008
EC basebaU squad opens season today Special to The Star N<>al Holliman EC Baseball From Page' 81 "Once we got down to the core group that was willing to accept and adopt everything we were trying lo do. That team exploded and became very hard to beat, due in large part to their great character." Holliman is obviously anticipating another successful season, but his main objective in 2008 is for his Dia– mond Warriors to perform to the best of their ability when they get a new campaign under way today by hosting Alabama Southern. 'The goal for this year's team is the same as it will always be, that is to maximize our potential," he stated."Sure, we want to win a confer– ence and regional championship and advance to the (NJCAA) World Series \ to compete for a national title, but you .., never know what the year will hold." Several players return from last year's championship squad return. "We feel very fortunate to have ow:. entire middl.e returning with Chris Parkman at catcher, Brian Jones at shortstop, Jacob Casey at second base and Terrell Hendrix in center field,'' Holliman noted. "In addition, Josh Laf– ferty returns in left field, and Jesus Aleman and Gregory Stovall return on the mound and were conference starters for us as freshmen.'' Hendrix, is the top returning slugger with a .409 average. He was also a constant threat on the bases and was successful on 28 of 31 attempts in garnering all-state honors. Jones batted .308 and had one clinger, seven doubles and 38 RBis. Casey, a former standout at Union High School, posted a .289 average. He had one home run, four doubles and 21 RBis. Parkman, a UWA transfer from Pulaski, was a constant stability behind the plate as he managed the Warrior pitching staff. Lafferty, who hails from Quitman High School, was a starter in left field and completed the season with two homers, five dou– bles and 23 RBls. Aleman, another UWA transfer, went 7-2 on the mound and had a 4.15 ~arned-run average. Neshoba Central product Stovall was 4-5 on the mound with a 3.48 ERA. Casey, Parkman, Lafferty and Aleman will also serve as 2008 team captains. ECCC fans will notice manv improvements to the Clark/Gay Memorial Baseball Complex, which Holliman considers an "ongoing project." Improvements since last spring include the addition of 17 flag poles which will display flags representing each community and junior college learn, the MACJC and NJCAA; con- struction of two decks - one located beyond the left field fence ·•tor fans to enjoy and create an exciting atmos– phere'' and one placed along the first base side for use by EC faculty and others; the area underneath the stands has been enclosed with bricks, new railings have been installed, along with a walking hand rail through the middle of the stands; and artwork has been added to the dugouts and club house located on the south end of the gym Holliman said 58 chairback scats will be placed along the concrete area behind home plate by opening day. "We still have several pr<>;ect::; that are in the planning and some that are under way," Holliman said. "We have continually worked to improve our facility because it is obviously a great asset in recruiting." Holliman also offered praise to his assistants, Michael Avalon and Roberto Martinez "for helping us con– tinue to develop the program into the best it can be." Plans for the today's season– opening doubleheader against Alabama Southern include a recogni– tion ceremony for members of the 2007 state championship squad. Holliman said team co-captain Jordan Robinson of Union is sched– uled to throw the ceremonial first pitch to start the 1 p.m. opener. z ~ -' "'- ~ 2! ~- lL 0 ~ w w ~ who ah;o gar– nered Coach of the Year honors ._ ~·rot lowing h1" im– tial season as the Diamond Warrior skipper, said there's no doubt last . Holliman yt>ar's . "(•arned everything they got.'' "To be 13-U$ at one pqinl in the season and f<>r that group of young men to pullthemst'lv~s·out of that hok and win a dHtmpi– onship was a tremt~nduus an·om– plishment." Holliman said. "I don't know if l have ever been more proud of a group of nwn. not bt·cause theywon the conference champion.,hip, but just because they bought into what we were trying to do m~d all got on lhe same pagt•." See EC Baseball Page B3 team
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