One year ago today, the American sports world experienced the abrupt and historic end to athletic seasons of all types when Covid-19 pandemic concerns first forced everyone into what turned into a months-long quarantine.
With fifteen games under their belts, the Clark Atlanta University baseball team was just a couple of days away from opening Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play against Tuskegee. But that never happened.
"It was very tough for me personally because I had a bunch of young guys who needed some experience and the only way you're going to get better, in my opinion, is by competition," said CAU head coach Kentaus "KC" Carter. "I started as many as six freshmen in any given game and those guys gained valuable experience. But it was very tough."
Today, a year later, the Panthers are heading back to the diamond for the first time when they open their 2021 season by hosting Savannah State University in a single game at 3 p.m. at Bill Evans Field in College Park, Ga. Saturday, the Panthers host SSU in a doubleheader that begins at 2 p.m.
While the SIAC has canceled conference play this season, institutions are playing a limited schedule this Spring.
"We're very excited," Carter said. "We're ready to play again. They guys are excited about being able to get ready to get on the field and to compete."
Carter's crew is a younger squad with a mix of freshmen and transfers, sprinkled in with a few returners. He points to a lineup that will have a freshman,
Jalen Mason, as his leadoff hitter who Carter expects to steal bases this year; strong hitters
Daniel Gay,
Justice Page and Florida Memorial University transfer
Darrin Brown; speedy
Khalil Manuel is back after recovering from a leg break last season;
Lorenzo Peterson will serve as the team's top pitcher, likely followed by
Michael Fegins; twin freshmen transfer pitchers
Jayden Dixon and
Jorden Dixon will come out of the bullpen;
Eason Bing brings energy at third base; graduate transfer
Jerry (Tripp) Freeman will be the catcher; and
DeAndre Swift and
Joshua Oliver bring needed experience to the squad.
"So, we have the pieces that are going to help us out," Carter said. "Going back to experience, we just have to play to get us better.
"Like I explained to my guys, the only way we can compete on this level is to pitch and play defense and get some timely hits on offense," he said. "That's been our focus throughout the spring. Unfortunately, we didn't have a fall season, so we just got started in February. But it's just about putting it all together and, I go back to it, just having the guys play and get experience."
They open against a Savannah State team that is 3-2 on the season, having swept three games from Voorhies College to open the 2021 campaign in late February. They outscored Voorhies 44-8 in those three games. But the Tigers dropped a doubleheader at Edward Waters College this past Tuesday.
"I know they are going to be well-coached and pretty sure they will have a deep pitching staff," Carter said. "They are not going to make mistakes and they are going to compete. It's going to be a pretty good series.
"It's just very good to be back out on the field," he said of his Panthers. "They are excited about playing; I'm excited to put them out on the field to get experience. We're just happy to see someone else come to our field to play."
