Pitching and defense go together better than anything in baseball.
But pitchers have to throw strikes to help their team maximize its potential on defense. The thinking is simple: If pitchers pitch to contact, their defense will be alive and on its toes to make more plays than it would if pitchers go deep in counts and have problems throwing strikes.
New Hope High School baseball coach Lee Boyd has preached that philosophy since the start of the school year. It’s not a new strategy, but it is a little more important this season given the introduction of new BBCOR bats that reduce the velocity that the baseball comes off the bat.
“We had a little nucleus coming back offensively, so I felt decent about our offense, but with the bats changing we really stressed itching and defense all throughout the fall,” Boyd said. “We said groundballs were going to be key. I think we took more groundballs since I have been at New Hope. I knew throwing strikes was going to be a big deal because, like I said, the bats just don’t have as much pop. I felt making the routine plays and throwing strikes was going to be the two things that were going to be the keys to our success.”
Landon Boyd, Peyton Lee, and Taylor Stafford heard coach Boyd’s message loud and clear and have done their best to carry it out. Their success at implementing that game plan is a big reason why the Trojans are one step away from playing for a state title.
New Hope (24-7) will try to take the first step toward that goal at 6 p.m. Thursday when it plays at Hernando in game one of the best-of-three Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North State title series. Game two will be at 7 p.m. Friday in Columbus. Game three, if needed, will be back in Hernando on Saturday.
Right-handers Boyd and Lee have been New Hope’s one-two starting punch all season, while Stafford, a left-hander who also plays center field, has been a spot starter and a closer. According to maxpreps.com, Boyd (7-3), Lee (5-1), and Stafford (4-1) account for two thirds of their teams wins this season. All three have given up fewer hits than innings pitched, and all three have done their best to limit the number of walks in an effort to keep their defense sharp.
Coach Boyd said the pitchers’ focus in bullpen sessions has helped them have results in the game. He said he has pitchers work count and hitters when they throw on the side. The philosophy forces pitchers to think while they are throwing so they are confident and prepared when they face situations when they need to throw strikes.
“We all have been successful all year throwing strikes, and we have had a great defense to back us up, which makes it a lot better,” said Boyd, who is Lee Boyd’s brother.
Backed by a defense that features catcher Tee Payne, first baseman Thomas Woodruff, second baseman Joe Harvey, shortstop Will Golsan, Boyd at third, Dusty Dyson in left field, Stafford in center, and a host of players in right, the Trojans have given their pitchers reason to be confident. Coach Boyd said the play of the defense has been crucial.
“Our infield has done a fantastic job,” Boyd said. “I can see where that will relax those guys. I have been very pleased with our defense.”
Lee, a senior, said the confidence the players have in the pitchers and the defense also helps the offense. He said hitters are more relaxed at the plate and know that they don’t have to produce every at-bat.
Landon Boyd said the pitchers have honed second and third pitches in the bullpen. He said he has improved his changeup, while Lee has gained confidence in his curveball. Stafford said he struggled with his changeup early in the season but now feels like he can use it in any situation.
As a result, Landon Boyd, Lee, and Stafford agree that pitching and defense have solidified their hold as the team’s strength.
“We feel like we have a strong pitcher or defense every time we go out on the field,” Landon Boyd said.
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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