REBELS ON THE PLAYOFF HUNT

STORY BY JOSH BOUTWELL

The Zion Chapel Rebels return a veteran but young baseball team in 2023 that is still looking for a playoff run.

ZCHS coach Adam Foster continues to preach to his team about steady improvement being the key for success.

“We did great in the offseason,” Foster said. “We got stronger, guys competed and we got better every single day. The biggest thing I preached last year is the same thing we’re preaching this year, we just have to get one percent better every single day. If we do that, we’ll be a better team at the end of it.”

Early in the season, Foster and his coaching staff are trying to use some tough nonconference competition to improve. In the first month of the season, ZCHS faces 5A schools, 6A schools and reigning two-time AISA Champion Pike Liberal Arts. That out-ofconference schedule could help “battle test” the Rebels ahead of an area slate that includes 2A powerhouses like GW Long and Ariton.

“The biggest thing is that we’ll get better as the year goes on with seeing more of those live reps,” Foster said. “With the basketball team making it to the postseason, we had just two practices together before the first game. We’re still trying to work out some kinks.”

Some of the things Zion Chapel are trying to work out early in the season deals with situational hitting.

“Our approach to hitting and situational hitting are things we’re really working on right now,” said Foster. “I feel like we can put our defense up against anybody but we’re still young when it comes to our varsity team. All of our starters are basically sophomores and juniors. So, we’re really working on that situational hitting and the way we approach the plate right now.”

Morgan Sanders is Zion Chapel’s only senior Rebel, while juniors like pitcher Wes Braisted will also be called on to lead this season.

“Wes Braistead, Austin Jordan, Morgan Sanders, Bordie Stinson and Brady Flowers are our leaders,” Foster emphasized. “Morgan brings that senior leadership. He’s our centerfielder and leads on the field. He’s 100 percent effort with everything he does on the field. He’s that effort guy for us and if he continues to give that effort, everyone else will feed off it.”

Like every year, the Rebels have their sights set on the postseason.

“Our No. 1 goal is to make it to the playoffs,” he said. “We’re in a tough area but that’s just what you’re dealt. You can’t change that, all we can do is get better and overcome that.”