Published: June 08, 2009 12:06 am      

Plenty to build on

Bulldogs’ Gray named District 21-2A Most Valuable Player

Despite having just one senior on the team and plenty of underclassmen playing in starting roles, the Bulldogs had quite a memorable season and advanced to the Class 2A Region III semifinals.

New Waverly really started building momentum toward the postseason during the district season.

Depending on reliable pitching and a strong offense, the Bulldogs swept through their district to win an outright title.

Junior third baseman Matt Gray contributed plenty of offense during the district season, hitting .523 in with two home runs. Gray also scored 22 runs and drove in 26 and was named the District 21-2A Most Valuable Player.

“We thought that hands down, he was the one that should’ve gotten that honor,” New Waverly head coach Tommy Bohannon said. “He was definitely deserving of the award. We’re real happy about him getting it and real happy about having him back.

“He really set the tone for our team just in the way he goes about his business. He deserves every good thing that happens to him. ... Him being the MVP, we feel that’s just right.”

Sophomore starting pitcher Matt Roberts, junior outfielder Kody Coleman and senior Rhett Bohannon were named to the first team.

“(Coleman) was a new addition for us this year,” the coach said. “He did a great job for us. We’re happy he’s coming back.”

Roberts had a stellar sophomore season. The righthander had more than 100 strikeouts and walked just 11 batters over the course of the season, finishing with a 10-1 record and an earned run average of 0.89.

“What he during the season and what he did during district and in the playoffs, it was just tremendous,” Tommy Bohannon said. “He made some tremendous strides from when he was a freshman until now. The way he goes about his business, he can’t help but get better.

“He even got better in the playoffs. He only allowed one run in 18 innings in the playoffs. The future looks really bright for him and I’m really glad he’s on my team.”

Rhett Bohannnon was one of the team’s top hitters. Along with a .380 average, his defensive play at shortstop helped him earn first-team honors as a middle infielder.

“He’s kind of the guy that really made us go,” the coach added. “Guys like that are always going to be missed. They’re the ones that really set the table. We’re real happy with what he got.”

Filling out the second team for the Bulldogs was freshman pitcher Cole Bohannon, freshman catcher Kyle Parkinson, junior second baseman Ryan Reyes, sophomore outfielder Eric Koonce and sophomore first baseman Tate Maddox.

With all but Rhett Bohannon returning next season, New Waverly has plenty to look forward to.

“We’ve some kids coming through the program,” the Bulldogs’ boss said. “We feel like we can just reload each year. Any program would like to be at that stage. We just want to keep getting better. These guys want that to happen. This year we made it to the fourth round. Hopefully we can get to the state tournament next year.”