STARKVILLE — It”s normal for a coach to tout his team and expect to win every game.
Keith Lawrence doesn”t mind wearing the cap of the mega-confident, if not braggadocios baseball coach.
Whether it”s real talk or a motivational method to keep his players confident, Lawrence expects to win a state title at the Dizzy Dean State Tournament beginning today in Louisville.
As coach of the Starkville Longhorns, an 8-year-old All-Star team, Lawrence has an experienced roster. Ten of the 12 players were 7-year-old All-Stars.
All of the Longhorns players competed in USSSA travel ball, and at one point were ranked No. 1 in the state.
The Longhorns also won a Dizzy Dean tournament two weeks ago, routing Columbus 26-10 in the final.
The year-round experience will pay off on the big stage, Lawrence said.
“This is probably one of the best coach”s teams since I”ve been dealing with SBA (Starkville Baseball Association) all-stars,” Lawrence said. “The team we won the state with two years ago with my oldest son, I don”t think that team could compete with this team here. I”ve been doing this for five and six years, and from top to bottom, it”s a really good team.”
The Longhorns open the state tournament versus Caledonia at 3:45 p.m. today. If they win their first game, they”ll play at the same time Friday.
“I really don”t expect us to lose,” Lawrence said.
Lawrence”s son, Keyshawn, plays shortstop and bats third in the lineup. As his play goes, so does the team, the elder Lawrence said.
“Other kids look up to him to lead, and other parents have told him that too,” Lawrence said. “When he”s on his game, I don”t think we can be beat.”
Tae Lucious covers most of the ground in the outfield and has the quickest reaction off the bat, Lawrence said.
Just as crucial as Keyshawn Lawrence”s play at short and Lucious” play in left is Robert Dawkins” glove at first base, Lawrence said.
“Usually, kids at this level can just catch it,” Lawrence explained, “but he can scoop it just as good as if it”s thrown right to him. (It) takes a lot of worry out having him over there.
Ten-year-old team powered by balance
Every team has its stars and irreplaceable player.
But it”s just as good to have a team full of equal contributors.
Starkville 10-year-old All-Stars coach Jim Yates struggles to think of a star from his team, even though his son, Foster, would seem a likely candidate as he”ll start Game 1 of the Dizzy Dean state tournament against Pontotoc at 4 p.m. today.
“We”ve got a number of good pitchers, about five to seven, that can get the job done,” Yates said. “We”ve also got some good strong hitters, but it”s always different guys contributing all around. Honestly, we”ve got three or four guys that can catch and a lot of guys that can be on the mound. Our guys can play infield and outfield.”
The balance has Yates confident in the team”s hitting and fielding, but success in the Columbus-based tournament will hinge on pitching.
“Can we throw strikes?” Yates said. “If you don”t, it will kill you. Our guys can make the plays behind them, but we can”t walk people.”
Starkville has played in two tournaments to prepare for the state tournament, finishing 2-1 in a home tournament and 1-2 at Louisville.
Yates hopes the emphasis on team play will provide a boost when the team faces adversity in Columbus.
“The attitude of these guys has been a wonderful thing for me,” Yates said. “For a bunch of all-star kids, they”re very coachable. I don”t know how that”ll translate this weekend, but the attitude has been a neat thing to experience.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.