The Morgan County baseball team continues to prove why it is ranked at the top of Class 2A.
The Dogs have put together one of the best regular seasons in recent memory as the state playoffs approach.
For head coach Steve Westmoreland, the recent run of success reflects a team that is beginning to fully settle into its identity.
“We’re obviously excited about where we are,” Westmoreland said. “But we’ve still got a lot of goals ahead of us.”
This week, Morgan County enters a crucial region series against Callaway with a chance to secure the championship, as winning two of three games would lock it up. Even with that opportunity within reach, Westmoreland said his team has stayed grounded, focusing more on execution than results.
Right now, the Dogs are doing exactly what they expected to do coming into the season — and doing it at a high level.
“We’re pitching extremely well, and we’re swinging the bat well,” Westmoreland said. “Those are things we felt like we could be really good at, and it’s starting to show.”
The pitching staff has been the backbone of Morgan County’s consistency. The starting rotation, led by Ty Tillery, Davis Strickland, and Caylem Richardson, has delivered quality outings throughout the season, consistently throwing strikes and limiting big innings.
Just as important, however, has been the emergence of depth behind them.
“What’s been exciting is what we’ve gotten out of the bullpen,” Westmoreland said. “That was kind of a question mark for us coming into the year.”
That question has quickly been answered.
Drew Ainslie has been a steady presence in relief, while Tyler Mull has developed into a reliable option in multiple situations. Hudson Reed has also contributed key innings, and freshman Tipton Roop has shown promise in his opportunities, including a strong outing in a recent region win over Pike County.
Left-hander George Dickinson has added another layer of versatility to the staff.
“We’ve been able to run a lot of guys out there, and they’ve continued to do what our starters do,” Westmoreland said. “We throw a lot of strikes, we make plays behind them, and that gives us a chance to win every time out.”
Offensively, the Dogs have found their rhythm after a slower start following the tournament in LaGrange in mid-February. Veteran hitters who began the year cold have come alive, and the lineup has turned into one of the team’s biggest strengths.
“We really feel like we’ve got 11 or 12 guys that can step in and help us score,” Westmoreland said. “No matter which nine are in there, we’ve got a chance to put up runs.”
That depth has been fueled by improved discipline at the plate. Morgan County has done a better job laying off pitches outside the strike zone, leading to more walks and hit-by-pitches while cutting down on strikeouts.
“Our swing decisions have been really good,” Westmoreland said. “We’re not chasing a lot, and that’s creating a lot of opportunities for us.”
Perhaps the biggest difference from last season, though, is the team’s maturity. With several starters in their fourth year in the program, the Dogs have developed a level of confidence that shows up in key moments.
“They’re not surprised by a whole lot,” Westmoreland said. “Nothing really panics them.”
That composure was evident in a recent game when the team surrendered a lead but rallied late for the win. Rather than unravel, the Dogs stayed steady and executed when it mattered most.
“I think last year we thought we were good,” Westmoreland said. “This year, I think they know they’re good. When we walk out on the field, we feel like it’s going to be really hard to beat us.”