After a couple of seasons in which Mount Gilead finished near the bottom of the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference (KMAC) baseball standings, Coach Mark Kennon is firing up his team with a strong belief system, hoping that helps them turn the corner and be more competitive in the wins-losses columns this year.
To help with that, the slogan they’re getting behind is "Why not us?” meaning “anyone else can do it, why can't we?” Kennon told the Mount Vernon News.
“The last time we won Districts was 1996, my first year at Mount Gilead as a teacher and coach,” Kennon said. "We won a sectional championship two years ago, which hadn't been won since 2016.”
He wants to instill in his players the belief that they can hold their own on the diamond and in life.
“I want kids to compete and believe that any time they take the field they can compete and play with our opponent, no matter what the records show on paper,” Kennon said.
They will work, at least, on building on last year’s 10-16 (3-11 KMAC) record, the coach said.
The Indians will get their first chance to start toward a better record when they travel to Madison-Plains for a season-opening twin bill Saturday, March 25. Game times are noon and 2 p.m. KMAC play starts Wednesday, March 29, also on the road, as they will play a 5:15 p.m. game at Danville.
The coach defined the hill as being the main hurdle they will face.
“The challenge will be that we lost a majority of our pitching, so finding new kids to step up will be very important,” Kennon said, adding that he’s looking for supporting players to fill out the rotation around Carter Kennon, who returns as a senior.
Last year, Carter Kennon struck out 66 and finished second in the conference with a 1.42 ERA, Coach Kennon said. Carter Kennon also plays shortstop, and he made the first team All-KMAC a year ago and earned conference honors as a sophomore as well.
The usual battery mate for whomever takes the mound is Nick Garvey, a senior who was a KMAC Honorable Mention in 2022. Garvey batted clean up and did a solid job behind the plate, Coach Kennon said.
Coach Kennon brings years of playing experience to the coaching billet, with his high school ball play at Utica High School and college play at Muskingum University. His leadership style extends beyond the field of play.
“My philosophy is to be a good role model for kids,” the coach said of his approach to the game. “If I show the kids how to act and behave when things are getting tough, hopefully they will learn from that and be positive and respectful citizens.”
A secondary responsibility he sees for himself is to give his players a chance to move on to the next level so they can have a better chance to make the most of their careers.
“I’ve never coached anyone that has gone pro, but I am hoping for Carter Kennon to get a chance to play at the next level in college," Coach Kennon said. "In addition, some of our younger kids (might be) getting a shot in a few years.”
