STARKVILLE — Landen Rogers isn’t one to raise his voice.
After playing four seasons of varsity baseball at Starkville Academy, Rogers has earned that right. Instead, his leadership style is more laid back. He leads by example instead of words.
“He is the hardest worker on the team,” Starkville Academy first-year head coach Brooks Roberts said. “Shows up first to practice, leaves last. He puts the work in. I think that is what separates him from others. He leads by example. He doesn’t tell the younger players what to do, he simply shows them how it is done.
Rogers helped the Volunteers extend their district winning streak to five games last week.
In a 12-4 victory against Leake Academy, Rogers scattered seven hits in a complete game win. He allowed three earned runs and struck out five. In an 8-0 victory against Leake Academy, Rogers played second base and had two hits and scored two runs.
For his performance, Rogers is The Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
“Baseball is all about getting the work in,” Rogers said. “I have always prided myself in my work ethic. I am not very vocal. Instead, I try to let my actions speak instead of words. Any successful team has a combination of players and as seniors, we all have to be a leader to some degree. It has been fun working with the younger guys, helping them progress and helping them to learn what it takes to be successful on this level.”
Rogers feels like his even-keel nature allows him to pitch more effectively.
“I think you have to stay calm and composed on the mound,” Rogers said. “Baseball is about overcoming adversity. If you don’t get the call or if a teammate makes an error, you can’t let it get you down. You have to focus on the next pitch, next at-bat, next batter. I try to hide my emotions on the mound.
“You have to be motivated. It’s fun to be out there knowing you control a lot of things on the mound. The battle against the batter is exciting and rewarding. When your teammates have your back, you feel even better about what you are doing.”
Roberts said Rogers’ experience gives him an advantage. He said the growth Rogers has made in the last four seasons has helped him prepare for different situations.
“He has been through everything,” Roberts said. “He has learned so much about the game and always worked at getting better. Any team needs good senior leadership. We are fortunate to have Landen and some others. They work well together. The seniors are determined to have a good final run.”
Rogers said the seniors already know their baseball-playing days together are numbered. Despite playing for three head coaches during his high school career, the seniors have remained close.
“We talk all the time about this being our final season together,” Rogers said. “We just want to extend the season for as long as we can. Fortunately, we have had a lot of success. We have won a lot of games and played a lot of big games. It has been a fun, memorable experience. I think everybody is working really hard right now because we know we are almost at the end.”
Starkville Academy plays at Heritage Academy tonight. The winner will be in position to be the top seed in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA, District 2 race with two district games remaining. The teams have split their first two meetings this season.
“(Tonight) will be fun because we know it’s probably the last time to play Heritage,” Rogers said. “The rivalry is always fun. You certainly want to win the last one.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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