After senior exodus, Eagles fill spots for a fresh start
In Game 3 of the Class 7A quarterfinal series against Vestavia Hills last season, the Oak Mountain High School baseball team’s starting defensive lineup consisted of nine seniors.
It would be the final game for every one of them, as the Rebels knocked off the Eagles, putting an end to Oak Mountain’s season in the quarterfinal round for the second consecutive year.
That means heading into the 2018 season, every slot on the diamond needs a replacement.
“The last game of the year last year, we had nine seniors on the field,” said Derek Irons, entering his third season as the coach at Oak Mountain. “I’ve told our guys that several times. There’s not anybody who’s going to start opening day that started that game last year.”
The Eagles had high hopes last season, ones that included a potential run toward the state championship, which was eventually won by Hoover. But the series loss to Vestavia did nothing to diminish the overall success of the year.
“We achieved some great things, some things that had never been done here before,” Irons said. “In the big picture, winning 33 games, never been done before, back-to-back quarterfinal appearances, a lot to be proud of and hopefully building for this year and after that too.”
Oak Mountain has enjoyed a resurgence over the last two years, and the Eagles are now saddled with the welcomed weight of being one of the top teams in the area.
Irons said, “The 2016 team raised the bar, the 2017 team raised it again, and that’s good to have these type of expectations. We’ve got to live up to it.”
Irons is confident that the Eagles are going to be able to adequately fill the vacancies left by last year’s group of seniors. That will start on the mound with Gene Hurst, who is expected to take over the role of staff ace from Joseph Hartsfield. Hartsfield put together dominant junior and senior seasons, and was at his best in the playoffs.
“Gene’s been a horse for us the last two years. I think he owns two or three career records already,” Irons said. “We’re not going to be a really experienced team, but he is very experienced on the mound.”
Wesley Dennis and Jackson Kimbrell are also expected to be fixtures near the top of the rotation. Irons said there are “six or seven other guys” that the Eagles would be comfortable throwing as well.
“I think we’re going to have more depth on the mound like I’ve never had before as a coach,” he said.
The catcher is another key spot where Oak Mountain hopes to find some stability. Mason Williamson held down the job last spring and worked well the pitching staff. A pair of juniors, Dylan Fraser and Jacob Fitzgerald, will battle for innings behind the plate.
Aside from the battery, Caleb Kennedy and Andrew Heiberger are two others that Irons singled out of a group of eight seniors. Kennedy played occasionally last season, spending time in the outfield and as the team’s designated hitter. Kennedy and Heiberger will both likely lock down a pair of outfield spots.
“We’ve got several juniors who don’t have any varsity experience, but a lot of those guys have played JV the last two years and put together two really good seasons,” Irons said.
The Eagles open their season Feb. 19 against Stanhope Elmore and Homewood. Oak Mountain also travels to Troy for the Terry Sikes Memorial Tournament, to the coast for the Gulf Shores Classic, and plays Hartselle at Oxford’s Choccolocco Park.