Contributed photo The Shockers concluded this past season with a 44-4 record and were considered one of the top teams in the country.

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Isn’t it amazing that the more things change, the more things remain the same. Thus has been the performance of the year-older 10-U Shockers, which are coached by Richie Mills.

Scotty Hall has recently been named head coach of the brother team Shockers (same age group but different players). The Shockers concluded this past season with a 44-4 record and were considered one of the top teams in the country. Obviously, it would take an incredible effort to match last season’s performance, but the 10-U Shockers appear to be ready for the task.

The 10-U Shockers are sporting a record of 6-0 and have won the championship of both tournaments. The coaching staff was encouraged to use and develop more catchers during each game, so Adam Bytheway and Will Atkinson were inserted into those positions to relieve the duties of Jonathan Gordon and to keep his legs fresh for hitting and pitching. Coaches also made adjustments in other positions by platooning Landon Mills and Garrett Beachum at first base; Cameron Harvey and Josh Adams at second base, Ashani McFarland and Owen Taylor at shortstop and Hunter Polson and Jonathan Gordon at third base.

Ashani McFarland, Darian Pendergrass, Keyshawn McDonald, and Will Atkinson continue to stabilize the outfield. The pitching rotation of Hunter Polson (Ice Man), Will Atkinson, Garrett Beachum, Landon Mills, Owen Taylor, Keyshawn McDonald, and Jonathan Gordon (The Hammer) have stymied the opposition into submission as the Shockers outscored the opposition by a score of 56 to 1 in the Florence tournament and 39 to 3 in the Lexington tournament. This performance also included the championship in Lexington, S.C., against 11-U competition.

The Shockers have continued to rain out the hits and Ashani McFarland was a perfect 10 for 10 in the tournament in Florence and had 3 home runs. Owen Taylor and Jonathan Gordon continue to belt out the home runs and Hunter Polson and Cameron Harvey are developing more power at bat.

The parents have continued to be very supportive of the players and coaches; their support is an important reason for the team being in a position to have to on-going success.

The team lost the service of one player but picked up the service of Darian Pendergrass from Hartsville. Jonathan Gordon has enrolled in acting school and will be limited to playing on Saturdays. And several players have been approached to play for other teams.