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<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"WILLIAMSBURG \u2014 Jeremy Shope\u2019s Whitley County Colonels are set to defend their KHsAA State championship and 13th Region title with high school baseball action ready to begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last season was one to remember with Shope\u2019s Colonels winning 39 games which included defeating Shelby County, 2-1, in the state title game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But now, it\u2019s a new season with some familiar faces and new faces as Shope\u2019s squad enters spring as defending state champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe return five every day starters (Bryce Anderson, RJ Osborne, Dee Parker, Hunter Wilson, and Matthew Wright) from last year,\u201d Shope said. \u201cSome of them playing different positions for us this year. This is a selfless bunch of young men who want to do what\u2019s best to make our team as good as we can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur goal as a program will always be to go compete to win a state championship,\u201d he added. \u201cThere are lots of factors to do that. We have to enjoy the day to day grind with everyone knowing their role and doing their job while cheering for the guy beside them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the Colonels to be successful, Shope is depending on numerous players. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMatthew Wright is one of the biggest leaders on our team,\u201d he said. \u201cHe talks the talk and walks the walk. Well respected by his peers. He\u2019s the guy that you want to make the last play of the game or be up to bat with the game on the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hunter Wilson is coming off a big year for us. He will be one of our leaders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRJ Osborne is steady,\u201d Shope added. \u201cHe is an old school type of player who understands doing his job. Bryce Anderson is a five tool player. He has a lot of God given ability and is really working hard. He\u2019s going to be fun to watch. Dee Parker is a D1 type of defender. He reads the ball off the bat and catches balls in the gaps. EJ Allen has a tremendous work ethic and a lot of versatility. Expecting big things from him. Tyler Rose will have a breakout year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of Whitley County\u2019s strengths last season was pitching, and it could very well be again with Brady Bargo returning along with a number of talented hurlers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBrady was 9-0 last year,\u201d Shope said. He understands how to pitch. Disrupts timing and great defender. EJ Allen knows how to pitch and brings experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTyler Rose, his stuff is electric when healthy,\u201d he added. \u201cLooking for him to provide big innings for us this year, and Trey Walton, I\u2019m looking forward to him building off of last year. He can get people out. Kip Allen, RJ Osborne, Jason Nunley, Christian Wilson, Luke Lambdin, Chris Cureton, Eli Powers give us lots of depth on the mound.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once again, Whitley County competes in what many believe could be one of the toughest districts in the state. The Colonels will be battling it out with Corbin, South Laurel, and Williamsburg for a spot in the region tournament, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur district is one of the toughest in the region,\u201d he said. \u201cIt has won the last six region championships. I feel like if we can get out of our district that we should feel like we have a shot at the region. Lots of things have to go right to win single elimination baseball. Got to be hungry, hot, and heathy to win postseason baseball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are lots of good teams and coaches in our region,\u201d he added. \u201cEvery game in postseason is tough. We believe that you must be blue collar (to be successful). You have to be able to work hard every day. Learn from the ups and downs. We have to do the little things every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n