By Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer
Enid News and Eagle
ENID —
Enid’s baseball team is trading the desert for the beach this spring break.
The Plainsmen (2-1), who have gone to Arizona the past two seasons, will be participating in the Oklahoma-Alabama Challenge in Orange Beach, Ala., beginning today.
“We just wanted to change it up,’’ said Enid coach James Peoples. “I don’t think too many of our kids have ever been to the beach before.’’
While Peoples wants his team to have fun, the first priority for the Plainsmen is to win games.
“That’s always our main goal,’’ Peoples said. “You have to be able to win early if you want to host a regional (being ranked in the top eight).’’
The Plainsmen were No. 19 in the last OKRankings.com. Enid is coming off a 4-0 loss to Yukon Saturday. Millers sophomore Kyle Gibson threw a one-hitter while striking out nine.
Christian Lafontan will be on the mound for today’s 1 p.m. game with Childersburg, Ala. Mikey Bretado will pitch against Theodore, Ala., at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Lawson King or Tanner Leon will pitch against Fairhope, Ala., at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Ace Mike Phillips will take the mound against Daphne, Ala., Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Peoples said most of the opponents are from Alabama’s largest class.
“I’m sure it’s going to be pretty good baseball,’’ Peoples said. “I think we’ll find out a lot about our pitching staff and how well our hitters will handle themselves against good competition.’’
The Alabama teams might be ahead of their Oklahoma competition because they started the season a week or two earlier.
The Plainsmen had to spend most of last week indoors because of the weather. Peoples said his pitchers were able to get some work in.
“I just hope our young pitchers step up and throw strikes and give our defense a chance,’’ Peoples said.
The week together should be a good bonding experience for his young team, Peoples said. Many of the Plainsmen have not gone on a spring trip before.
The baseball boosters are picking up the tab for most of the trip. Players are having to pay for two meals a day.
“This is going to be a nice change for us,’’ Peoples said. “We’ll see what it has to offer. If we like it, we might go back next year.’’
KCRC Radio (1390 AM) will air all of the Plainsmen games in the tournament.
