Optimistic AP Baseball Team Is Thinking District Title

AVON PARK - First baseman Kyle Jackson was dead serious when asked about the Avon Park baseball team's season outlook.

"Oh, we'll be there in the end," Jackson said before Avon Park's 4-2 victory over Auburndale last week. "This team has the talent to match up against anyone in the district."

Confidence is not an issue with Avon Park as the season is in its infancy.

Many of the finer points of the game are still being ironed out, but one can't deny this Red Devil team has the pieces to give defending Class 4A-District 10 champion and arch-rival Sebring a run for their money come playoff time.

"We're really optimistic coming into this season," Avon Park head coach Mort Jackson said. "We had a great summer playing [in various tournaments] and really came together as a team."

Gone is one of the finest arms to walk out of Avon Park High School in many years in Johnny Sedlock, who has suited up for the South Florida Community College Panthers.

Stepping on the rubber for the Red Devils this season will be a collection of arms - four lefty juniors and two senior righties - that all bring something different to the party.

Senior Heath Barnes has shown his prowess on the mound with a better-than-average fast ball, while Dillan Runner and Buddy Duke both have the talent and potential to pitch lights-out ball whenever they take the mound.

Lefty Shevas Hicks' blend of fastball and curve has made him a force for the Red Devils, putting the brakes on the Auburndale during the recent Bill Jarrett Early Bird Tournament.

Hicks held the Tigers to just one hit and three walks, while striking out four in five innings on the mound and seemed to have the desire to keep going past the set pitch count.

"I'm going to get in better shape so I can stay on the mound longer," Hicks said. "I know I've got to throw strikes more consistently, but I feel pretty good at where I'm at right now."

Kyle Jackson may have given a no-nonsense answer to how his Red Devils will do this season, but he has a way to back up that confidence with his bat: He was 3 for 3 with a homer and two runs scored in the first meeting against Sebring in the preseason, and combined with Barnes, he looks to be the muscle behind a very potent lineup.

Barnes looks to be in mid-season form in the first week after hitting a pair of towering home runs at Head Field, the sort of offensive production the Devils need to continue.

"Heath has really improved coming into this season," Coach Jackson said. "He's more patient at the plate and is a threat every time he steps to the plate."

Third baseman Chad Marley and freshman second baseman Matt Rivera have been impressive in the early going of the season. Marley clubbed two hits in the first meeting against the Streaks and Rivera's defense has shored up the middle-infield.

But behind the bravado Kyle Jackson displayed is the confidence the Red Devils possess as a whole.

"We just have to work on the little things and not repeat our mistakes," Kyle Jackson said. "If we do that, I think we'll be all right."