Cougars equipped with experience

The Clay-Chalkville High School baseball team ran into the machine that is Hueytown, in the words of head coach Chris Tinsley, last spring in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs. 

Hueytown won both games to sweep the series, but the Cougars were tied as late as the sixth inning in the first game and led through three innings in the second game.

“We just ran out of gas,” Tinsley said.

Tinsley doesn’t believe the 2019 version of the Cougars will face that issue again this season should another playoff opportunity present itself. Clay-Chalkville should have a deep pitching staff and several key position players returning on a team with 11 seniors.

“We’ve got a chance to be pretty good, I think,” Tinsley said. “Of those 11 seniors, just about everybody has made contributions in the past.”

For starters, Tinsley believes the Cougars will have more depth on the mound this spring. Tristan Walton and Noah Lessley should provide a pair of great options at the top of the pitching rotation. Walton, a Lawson State Community College signee, threw some varsity innings last season, including five critical innings against Pinson Valley in an area contest.

“We gave him some things to work on in the offseason and he really has worked on them,” Tinsley said. “His velocity has increased and he’s worked hard on his breaking ball. I’ll feel good about running him out there against anybody.”

Lessley is a junior who pitched primarily for the junior varsity team a year ago, but Tinsley said he’s become stronger and a more consistent pitcher leading up to this season.

Ashton Kincaid, Evan Kincaid, Clayton Epps and Kendall Garner are a few arms that should provide the Cougars with quality depth on the pitching staff. Jonah Freind will also give the Cougars plenty of innings on the mound. 

There are a few players shuffling positions for the Cougars, but only a couple spots that will be taken over by a player who hasn’t played much varsity ball. 

Matthew Blahous played third base last season but will battle with Evan Kincaid for the primary catching role. Luke Moore is making the move from second to third base. Blahous could still see some time at third along with Zach Nichols. 

Two spots Clay-Chalkville has no questions about are shortstop and center field, where seniors Ashton Kincaid and Logan Pruett return, respectively, for their fourth year as starters. Ashton Kincaid has signed to play baseball at LaGrange College.

Khalil Bell’s bat will be in the lineup most games, whether as the second baseman or designated hitter. Bell has signed with Bishop State Community College. Moore could still play second at times and Tyler Hicks is a “speedster” who is battling for playing time as well. At first base, seniors Freind and Walton will contend for innings.

Andrelle Tillman, Demarcus Burris, Epps and Joel Macon are names to watch in the corner outfield positions. Noah Tatum and Joseph Baker are two other bats Tinsley will get in the lineup throughout the season as well. 

“One thing we’ve got is experience,” Tinsley said. “Nothing’s going to come out of left field and stump these guys. They’ve seen it, they’ve been there, they know what it’s like. They’ve been with me since Day 1.”