It’s been 14 years since the Todd County Central baseball team finished a season at .500 and over 20 years since a Rebel team posted a winning record. The last postseason victory came all the way back in 2004 when the Rebels won the 13th-District title as a four seed. However, an eager young core of multi-sport athletes is ready to follow senior catcher Ethan Bicksler to what they hope will be a breakthrough season in 2021.
Coach Greg Shelton begins his first season at the helm after one season in charge for Troy Winders. Shelton was set to begin his tenure last year before the season was canceled. The Rebels are coming off a 5-11 mark in 2019 with an exit in the first round of the district tournament.
Shortstop Austin Rager and infielder Bryce Nolan are the only losses through graduation from last season’s team, but the Rebels still only boast 9 upperclassmen. Bicksler, a recent Midway University commit, leads a three-man senior class along with Jameson Hunt and Brisen Wilson. Bicksler will be behind the plate when he’s not on the mound, with Hunt also counted on to pitch for the Rebels.
Junior pitchers Matt Hudson and Zack Hall will also be asked to eat up some innings this season, as will Will Kearns and Tanner Farmer. Farmer can also play at both infield corners and Kearns is another option at 1st base. Austin Shadrick will get his chance at 3rd base as well.
Sophomores Preston Rager and Jacob Brandon are expected to start up the middle at shortstop and 2nd base and can also be counted on to pitch, while Jase Hampton is the Rebels’ lone lefty hurler and can play 1st base. Nate Reding will man one of the outfield spots and Ty Cotner is another sophomore expected to take his turn on the mound. The Rebels also have young reinforcements with 8 freshmen and a pair of 8th graders new to the roster this season.
The Rebels open on Monday with a visit from Hopkins County Central. The teams split a pair of low-scoring meetings in 2019. 4th Region All-A play opens with a matchup with Glasgow on April 2, before district play begins at Logan County on April 13. It’s been 10 years since the Rebels picked up a win against the Cougars. A district meeting with Franklin-Simpson comes on April 20, with the last victory against the Wildcats a district tournament clash during the title run in ’04.
Coach Shelton recently spoke to YSE about the upcoming season.
