ATKINS — Entering his seventh year at Atkins, his third as head coach, Josh Bjorgum is hoping his 2011 squad plays like the one two seasons ago. Then, the Red Devils played their way into the Class 3A regionals.
Last year, however, Atkins took a step back. The Red Devils’ 7-14 finish was good enough only for fifth place in the 4 3A Conference, giving Bjorgum an overall mark of 23-16.
“We should be in the top three in our conference,” the coach said of this season’s campaign. “We are going to shoot for regionals. We are looking for a solid year and continuing to build our program in a positive direction.”
While pitching is an area of concern for Bjorgum, the head Devil said, “Our defense is a strength because of our experience in the field.”
Best Hitter for Average: Sophomore first baseman Ty Ennis: “He always finds a way to get on,” Bjorgum said. “He’s either going to make contact or draw a walk.”
Best Power Hitter: Senior pitcher and third baseman Todd Glover and junior utility player Luke Duvall: “Duvall will play wherever he is needed, based on the situation. Both of them are good leaders and hard workers. They spend a lot of time on the field working on their game and off the field keeping in shape,” the coach said.
Best Speed: Sophomores Konner Johnston and Hunter Davis: “They are our center fielder and left fielder. They are young and inexperienced,” Bjorgum said, then added, “but they are quick, have a good baseball IQ and will be good, well-rounded players when all is said and done.”
Best Fielder: Ennis and Duvall: Of this pair, the coach commented, “They are pretty solid in the field. They give an all-out effort all the time, and nothing will get by them. If anything is in the dirt at first base, Ennis will get it. Duvall started for us in the ninth and 10th grades and will again now in the 11th.”
Best Arm: Duvall and Glover: “Both of them have pretty strong arms,” the coach said, “plus, they are well-rounded players, make good decisions and have good baseball IQs.”