CALHOUN, Ga.-Austin Norrell knew this was going to be a different type of season for the Calhoun Yellow Jackets baseball team, and though the junior pitcher wouldn’t mind a few more runs, he’s loving every minute of it.
Norrell improved to 2-0 with a four-hit shutout in Calhoun’s 2-0 win over visiting Dade County on a blustery Thursday evening. The Jackets, now 7-2 overall and 2-0 in Region 7-AA B, replaced eight of nine starters in the field as well as ace pitcher Carter Harrison from last season’s state champions.
“Last year we had a lot more hitting, but most of those guys are gone,” said right-hander Norrell, the team’s No. 2 starter last year. “We’ve still got good hitters, but we’re not hitting well right now. Once we get it together, we’re going to go off with a big bang.”
This year’s edition was told early and often that good pitching, defense and baserunning would be essential for success in what would be a major rebuilding season for most programs. After losing two consecutive games two weeks ago, the players seem to be taking that advice to heart now.
“We’re still trying to work out a few things here and there,” Calhoun coach Chip Henderson said. “This is a different team with different types of players than we’ve had in the past. I told the guys the days of the 15-0 win are gone, and as soon as they can grasp that and learn to play their game, the better off we’ll be.”