Kyle Watson would hardly view this as a lost season for his Central High Chargers baseball team.
While the hard-luck team losing one of its top pitchers to an early season injury has gone a long way toward a 7-17 season where several of the losses have been nip and tuck affairs, Watson and his men are focusing on the positive.
“Our kids have competed every game and everything has started to become a little easier for us as they’ve started to buy in more,” Watson, now in his third season as coach, told the Texas Scorecard. “We’re still growing and learning together.”
Seniors Julian Pokorny and Cason Sanders have almost become like coaches on the field for the Chargers, leading by example in a season where after dropping their first four games the Chargers rebounded to win three straight by a combined score of 21-6.
“Julian is like a Bulldog out there,” Watson added of his star infielder/pitcher. “He’s a fighter who likes to go to battle and the guys pick up on that.”
In his first year with the varsity, Sanders leads the team in hitting from his outfield position at .347.
“He’s really stepped up, even doing some pitching for us after one of our top guys went down,” Watson added.
Beyond that, Watson can always take solace in what almost certainly lies ahead for the Chargers.
Sophomore outfielders Trent Smith and Brant Wilson have improved from game to game, and will return next season to form a nucleus that also includes former District Newcomer of the Year Carson Tech.
“Trent’s one of those quiet kids who’s not too flashy but just gets the job done,” he said while describing Wilson as an “unbelievable outfielder that makes it look easy.”
The Chargers’ final two weeks of the season include a pair of games against area rival Keller High, assuring Watson that he won’t have any problem keeping his team motivated.
“Beating them would be a great way to end the year on a good high,” he said.
