2009

ECCC Warriors expect more SPECIAl TO THE TIMES

DECATUR-A "more athletic" and "faster" East Central Commwtity College baseball team will take the field in 2009, said Diamond Warriors begin action by hosting Bevill· Fayette Community College Wednesday, Feb. 4. Doubleheader action gets under way with a nine– inning matchup at 1 p.m. at the Clark/Gay Baseball Complex. A seven-inning contest will follow. "I feel we are more ath· letic than in the past and our overall team speed is the best since we have been here," said Holliman, who led EC to the 2007 state title in his frrst year as head coach. "The players have also displayed a qualuy work ethic and a positive atti· tude," he added. "Like other teams, we have days that are not satisfying but our jobs as coaches is to have our team prepared every day whether in practice or in a game." Holliman said the goal for this year's squad is the same for his previous squads, which is "to maxi· mize our potential." "Sure we are fighting, clawing and striving for every chance and oppor· tunity to be a program that continually competes for a regional champi· onship and a World Series berth,'' he stated. "Although an East Central team has never been to a World Series does not mean that it cannot be done. Our goal will always be the same and even if we win a conference or regional championship '3nn don't maximize our head coach Neal Holliman, whose

ECCCPHOTO

SCOTT COUNTY DIAMOND WARRIORS These student-athletes from Scott County are members of the 2009 East Central Community College baseball team. From left are catcher/first baseman Sam Wooten (12), a product of lake High School, and outfielder ldael Pestana (30) of Morton. potential, we have not got· yowtg pitching staff and ten the most out of the his young team - which year." includes 21 freshmen · Holliman said the will have to meet the chal· "theme" for this season, as lenges of community col· voted on by team mem· lege baseball. And bers from several submis· because his team is sions, is "Everyone gives young, "there's still a lot some; CHAMPIONS give to be determined as to the all." role of many players." For East Central to have "We are young," he said, another championship "but as a whole we really season, Holliman said his like the freshman class. They have adapted well to our philosophy and con· tinue to show improve– ment each day." Holliman noted that the strength of this year's squad is the returning players. "We will depend a lot on our sophomore players and their leadership. I feel we have good leaders and, as always, time will tell