CALHOUN, Ga. -- In years past, playing a baseball game against the Calhoun Yellow Jackets meant you better bring some big bats.
It wasn't uncommon for Chip Henderson's three-time state champions to average nearly 10 runs a game with players such as Brody Pullen, Mott Hyde, Charlie Culberson and Matt Robbins in the lineup. As the program begins its first season in Class AAA, the Jackets will bring a bit of a different look to the diamond.
"We're not loaded with a bunch of power hitters, but we have nice gap-to-gap hitters," Henderson said. "We've got to have some quality at-bats and move runners. We've also got to make the routine plays. We're not good enough offensively to give teams four and five outs in an inning.
"What we do have, though, is a good group of senior pitchers and great leadership."
It wasn't by accident that Henderson's three starting pitchers -- seniors Spencer Cross, John Allen Kendrick and Matt McHan -- signed college letters of intent on the same day. Instead of having the spotlight to themselves, the three longtime friends wanted to share the moment.
"It was a really good moment for us, but it was kind of bittersweet knowing we're all going our separate ways," said Cross, a two-sport star who will attend the University of West Georgia. "We've been playing together forever, and at least we know all three of us will still be playing the game."
Cross, who was 3-1 with a 0.60 ERA last year while batting .416 with 21 RBIs, likely will play a corner infield position in college. Matt McHan and John Allen Kendrick, a pair of left-handers, will pitch for Georgia College and State University and Pennsylvania, respectively.
"I'm very happy for those guys," Henderson said. "They've been mainstays for us for three or four years, and they're talented enough athletes that they can play multiple positions. It's a good fit for all three of them."
Kendrick was the ace of last year's team, going 8-1 with a 1.34 earned run average and 68 strikeouts in 52 innings whole also scoring 26 runs from the leadoff spot, while McHan was 4-1 and batted .392. Each will need to be sharp on the mound as the team moves into tough Region 6-AAA along with state-ranked teams Ringgold and Sonoraville.
"You don't have to look far to find a lot of quality teams," said Henderson, whose 1-2 team opens league play Friday at Sonoraville. "Triple-A has great teams like Pierce County and Blessed Trinity to go with Ringgold and Sonoraville in our own region. It's going to be tough."
So while the bats are going to have to wake up -- the team has scored just six runs so far -- there is no lack of confidence among the team's three leaders.
"Our senior leadership is going to carry this team," Cross said. "Our pitching is going to win ballgames. It's a whole different game for us. It's more small ball, hitting behind the runner, and it's more about playing for the team. We're going to have a lot tougher region, so we've got some business to take care of before we can even start talking playoffs."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.