STARKVILLE — Senior pitcher Colbey Rivers felt like his Starkville High School baseball team was always on the verge of a winning streak.
“The last couple of weeks, coach (Travis) Garner told us we had been through the rough stuff and we had a win streak coming on,” Rivers said.
Garner was correct on that prediction. The Yellow Jackets capped a busy week on the diamond with a 4-0 record. Starkville also enhanced its playoff position with two wins against Columbus in Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A, Region 3 play.
Rivers was the winning pitcher in both of the victories against the Falcons. For this accomplishments, he is The Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
“Everybody has been bouncing around with a lot more energy here of late,” Garner said. “We knew we had some really great hitters at the top of the lineup with Rashon (Tate), Tyler (Barnes), A.J. (Brown), and Dee (Demetrius Petty). Now the lower part of the order is beginning to figure it out. If we throw strikes and defend, we can be a dangerous team.”
Rivers had the throwing strikes part down pat this past week.
In a 15-0, five-inning win Wednesday at Columbus, Rivers threw a one-hitter with four strikeouts and three walks. He aided his cause with two hits, including a double, and two RBIs. In a 9-6 win against Columbus at home Friday, Rivers entered in relief and pitched the final 5 2/3 innings to get the win. In that outing, Rivers allowed two hits and two runs (both earned). He walked two and struck out four.
Starkville began the week Monday with a 10-5 win at West Lowndes and finished it Saturday with a 13-1 home win against Bibb County (Ala.).
“It was a successful week for the guys,” Garner said. “You can tell they are playing with more confidence. Colbey had a big hand in that. He pitched very well in both games against Columbus.”
Rivers is one of three seniors on a team that is 9-10 and 2-4 in region play entering tonight’s region home game against Northwest Rankin.
“Since we don’t have a lot of seniors, I knew this year my leadership would be important,” Rivers said. “I really don’t talk a lot. I try to lead by example. I try to show the guys what it is like to hustle and play hard every game and every day in practice.”
The hard work has paid off with a scholarship offer to Mississippi Delta Community College.
“I really like the coaches there,” Rivers said. “Everything there reminds me a lot of Starkville, so it will be a smooth transition. I already know several of the guys who will be playing there with me, so it is exciting.”
After beginning to play the game at the age of 3, Rivers always has dreamed about playing on the next level. Parents Sheila and Scott have provided the support for their only son.
“It’s a dream come true to be playing on the next level,” Rivers said. “I fell in love with baseball from the first time I threw a ball. The sport has been very good to me. I have always worked hard to get to the next level each time, so now this opportunity has presented itself. Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to play somewhere else after that.”
College baseball is still a long way. The Yellow Jackets took a huge step in securing one of the region’s three playoff berths by taking the first two of three games against the Falcons.
“We really want to get in the playoffs,” Rivers said. “Once you get in, everybody starts over and everybody has a perfect record. Coach told us the other day we were getting hot at the right time. Hopefully, we can get in and make a nice little run.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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