After a disappointing end to the 2019 season, The Golden Tigers understand that they under-achieved and fell short of team goals. Head coach Reginald Hollins stated “I told the guys after our last regular season game that it’s no time to cry over spilled milk. Good programs respond to failure, so let’s get back to work!”
Overall consistent play is what they must address. At times Tuskegee saw flashes of a having solid ball club, but again all phases of the games were never consistently clicking simultaneously.
Said Hollins, “I explained to the guys that in order for things to click on all cylinders and achieve consistency on the playing field we must improve consistent daily preparation and maximum effort on the practice field in all areas of the game. I also told the guys that as head coach I believe that starts with me doing a better job at holding them accountable to bring the metal focus to get better day in and day out. I will preach mental focus all year long.”
Great things have already started in fall ball. This group, without a doubt, has developing talent to improve the win column this year.
KEY RETURNERS
The Golden Tigers are returning some key arms that have really improved from last season and position guys that will bring a spark to the line up.
Returning Hunter Hudson, Savontae Williams and Darien Brown in the rotation really provides leadership for the Golden Tigers’ pitch staff. Hudson lead the team in wins with a 6-3 record and had a few no decisions that could have easily gone his way. Savontae Williams will be in the bullpen role and starter role for Tuskegee. Williams threw the first no hitter last year for the Golden Tigers since 2012. Tuskegee will also look to Darien Brown to serve as a key piece out of the bullpen this year.
According to Hollins “I am excited about what this unit can provide is this year. After some early evaluations and individual sessions with our pitching staff, it’s starting to click for most of our guys. With the experience and leadership that Hudson, Williams, and Brown provide we will have some unnamed guys that will take a huge leap this season.” Assistant Coach Danny Barnes has done a great job with challenging pitchers each day and it’s no doubt that this group could give Tuskegee an opportunity to be competitive in every game that they play this year.
As far as the lineup is concerned senior Dominic Johnson, junior Corey Stallings, senior Ronald McGhee, and junior Tyari Albright provide a sense of stability to the line up. Tuskegee knows exactly what they will get from these guys each game. Five guys the coaching staff are excited about are senior outfielder Caleb Nelson, sophomore Emory Willis, sophomore Caleb Cobb, junior Joshua Lewis and sophomore Russell Coleman. In Hollins’ opinion, they can all be breakout caliber players for this season. They provide the necessary energy that the team needs and the grit that it takes to compete in this competitive SIAC conference.
NEWCOMERS
The baseball program was able to bring in some key transfers that will produce right away in the lineup and some really strong freshmen that will push for major playing time. This years class has really given the team some competition to watch this fall. This group came in focused and ready to provide the team with production.
Coach Hollins shared his final thoughts with Black College Nines. “Overall this fall it is a new revived energy that has become extremely contagious and I love it! Great thing about this years group is that they have the confidence that we can make a major improvement in the win column. As long as they play with that same confidence, it’s no doubt in my mind that we can make a run in the SIAC. Another motivating factor for us this year is that we will dedicate this season to former Head Softball Coach Edward Colvin and in support of Tuskegee Softball. Coach Edward Colvin recently passed away on September 21, 2019.”