Kia AutoSport Athletes of the Week: Central Phenix City Baseball
Phenix City, Al. – The Central Red Devils wasted no time racking up the wins this baseball season. Central won their first 9 games in a row, and won 12 of their first 13 games. The Red Devils have beaten teams like Saraland, Hoover, Northside-Columbus and LaGrange. Central head baseball coach AJ Kehoe admitted he was very impressed with his team’s performance.
“To be perfectly honest with you, when we made this schedule we were in hopes that if we’re .500 we’re doing some good things. So the kids are playing well man. They’re playing really hard and they’re playing well right now,” said Head Coach Kehoe.
The Red Devils have won in multiple ways throughout the season so far. They’ve blown teams out, and they won multiple one-run games. Central has solid pitching, consistent defense and good hitting which are all important to winning games. However the team says the key to their success is simply having fun and playing for each other.
“It’s just a good time. Honestly with this group of guys is just special. We’re just real tight and we just have fun playing baseball,” said senior pitcher and outfielder Hunter Whippert.
“The game just slows down for us. You know we’re able to go out there and compete and have fun together and just play for each other,” said senior 1st Baseman Landon Beaver.
While Central is enjoying this great to start to the season, but they also know this is no time to rest on their laurels.
“A few of these guys, you know, dressed out in 2022 when we won it. Obviously they were on the club last year when we returned to the State Finals. So the internal leadership is in place.
They do a great job motivating and working with each other,” said Head Coach Kehoe.
“Yea I know what it feels like to win and what it’s like to lose and I want to win again,” said Beaver.
While winning is important and capturing State Championships is great, the team is focused on creating a legacy for this baseball program. They want legacy to be defined by their record and the way they play.
“It’s special to win a state championship but you really just want to leave a legacy here. I mean especially Senior year. You just wanted to go out in that way,” said Whippert.
“I just want to leave a legacy of just working hard, playing the game the right way and just being a good leader on and off the field,” said Beaver.
Congratulations to our newest Kia AutoSport Athletes of the Week the Central High School Baseball team.
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