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Head baseball coach Mike Campbell speaks with a player during a recent practice. Campbell is in his first season as head coach at Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Owen Warden) -
Oglethorpe County's players' helmets sit in their newly renovated dugout. (Photo/Owen Warden)
The Oglethorpe County High School baseball team had a rough go last season, finishing 12-19 overall and third in the Region 5-A Division I.
However, first-year head coach Mike Campbell expects the 2024 season to feature a new-look team, with a winning culture and exciting brand of baseball.
Campbell said his priority is to make sure the Patriots understand the importance of winning and building on success.
“Losing is going to happen, but it is unacceptable,” he said.
OCHS has finished with a winning record twice in the last 10 seasons, with their last winning season in 2022.
This season begins on Feb. 12, when the Patriots host Clarke Central, a non-region opponent.
Creating a new culture within a program isn’t easy, but Campbell sees it as necessary to turn the program’s fortunes around.
“It’s easy to become a loser, and it’s hard to become a winner,” he said.
This season, in particular, Campbell said fans can expect a potent offense with activity on the basepaths. Equipped with speed throughout the order, Campbell said he wants the Patriots to put pressure on pitchers with the threat of stealing.
“It’s going to be fun to watch; it’s good baseball to watch,” Campbell said.
The defense will also benefit from team speed, being able to cover an extended amount of ground when tracking balls down.
“If it’s in the air, we’re going to catch it,” Campbell said.
Campbell said he expects quality starters in his rotation and a bullpen with needed depth. However, he understands there will be a learning curve due to the inexperience of some of his young pitchers.
“I’ve got a bunch of young arms I’m trying to reign in,” Campbell said.
Jacob Sass, who will start at first base for the Patriots, said the team is already working harder this season, and he’s excited to see the results on the field.
Sass played second base and pitched last season, but is recovering from an arm injury that prevents him from throwing.
With a new head coach, Sass said the transition has been mostly smooth, once the team became more comfortable around Campbell.
“Everyone was a little scared at first with him being in the Marines,” he said.
Now, Sass said he knows that when it seems like Campbell is being tough on his players, he’s trying to push them to become their best.
Campbell said his message to his team this year is simple but will have a major impact on their success.
“It’s all about the next play,” he said. “How we handle that will determine how the season is.”