Blue Devils Will Host First Round Of Playoffs Wednesday
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Seven senior Blue Devil baseball players were recognized during senior night Friday at the high school baseball field. Taking the field with family members were (from left) Maverick French with his mother, Jennifer French, and siblings; Reid Burress with his parents, Steve and Kellie Burress, and brother; Laine Burns with his parents, Will and Michelle Burns, his sister and grandmothers; Kaden Norlander with his parents, Kris and Natasha Norlander, and siblings; John McMinn with his parents, Lee and Jennifer McMinn; Tyler Richardson with his parents, Leighann and Michael Richardson; and Isaiah Webb with his parents, Isaiah and Erica Webb and brother.
WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley Blue Devils (13 – 7) won one and lost one last weekend to end regular season play with the strongest season under three-year head coach Cole Camp.
The team hosted the Delta Raiders Friday night for senior night and was leading 8 – 0 when the game was cut short during an electric outage that impacted much of the city.
Water Valley scored once in the opening inning and notched seven runs in the second inning, helping propel the team to the victory. Isaiah Webb, Parker Turnage and Reid Burress each hit singles to drive in runs during the big second inning. Maverick French grounded out, driving in another run.
Senior Tyler Richardson did not allow a hit or run during the two innings of play, striking out two and walking one.
Seven seniors – Isaiah Webb, Tyler Richardson, John McMinn, Kaden Norlander, Laine Burns, Reid Burress and Maverick French – were recognized during a ceremony prior to the game.
“Thank you all for adding to the legacy of Water Valley football,” Camp told the players during the ceremony.
The Blue Devil baseball team was back in action Saturday with a hard-fought loss to Tishmingo County, 17 – 8.
“We finished the regular season as the number one seed, which gives us home field advantage in the first round of playoffs and potentially the second round,” Camp reported. “It is definitely been a good year. It has been my most fun year as head coach.”
Camp credited the large group of seniors who started in almost every game for the success this season.
“We have relied on a bunch of guys who have played a lot of innings in high school. You expect to wins some games that your are not supposed to with a strong group like this,” Camp said. “We also relied on some of the young guys.”
Camp defined the team as resilient.
“This is a really resilient group. We had guys back from injuries who didn’t play last year – play well this year. More importantly, this is a good group of kids.”
The first round of the playoffs start Wednesday, April 16, at 4 p.m. at the Water Valley High School Field against Leflore County. A double-header, a second game will immediately follow.
Senior Blue Devils (from left) Isaiah Webb, Tyler Richardson, John McMinn, Kaden Norlander, Laine Burns, Reid Burress and Maverick French pose for a picture before the senior night recognition.
