Southmont baseball has turned to Bill Woods to lead the Mountie baseball program in 2023. Woods takes over for Brad Winiger. Woods who has spent the last few seasons with the junior high program and also has coaching experience at Harrison is preaching one simple message as he mans the helm.
“We’re trying to establish a new culture by being disciplined,” Woods said. “We have six seniors and we’re asking them to show leadership to our underclassmen. I’ve been around these guys so for some time so the chemistry is already there I think. Some of our seniors our vocal leaders while some lead out on the field. They’ve all been a big help so far.”
Those six seniors that Woods mentioned include Chayce Howell, Adam Cox, Connor McKinney, Mason Hall, Caden Jones, and Brennen Thornburg.
Cox returns as the top hitter from a year ago for the Mounties as he batted .368 and drove in 13 runs and led the team with 19 runs scored. Hall flashed plenty of power at the plate a season ago as he hit six home runs and drove in 28 along with batting .333. McKinney (.324), Jones (.302), and Trip Ward (.302) all hit over .300 last year as well.
A season ago fielding was a cause for concern as the Mounties committed 3.5 errors a game. Woods says that’s where the discipline and the level of leadership will come into play as his team looks to clean those mistakes.
“It starts with doing things the right way,” he said. “I believe we have a lot of talent on this team across the board from our seniors to our freshman. If we can get some consistency going then I think we’ll be in good shape. We can finish .500 and be in a position to win the sectional. Those are two goals that we’re beginning to set for ourselves.”
