By Staff
Scot Beard
BELGREEN – The Belgreen varsity boys baseball team knew at the end of last season they would have a coaching change.
After the new coach resigned in early February, the team was forced to adapt to another new coach. Fortunately it was a familiar face taking over the program.
Ricky Gardner, a six-year assistant with the Bulldogs, assumed control of the program a few weeks ago and has been scrambling to prepare the team for this year's campaign.
"It has been pretty challenging," Gardner said. "I just hope to get their arms ready."
The Bulldogs began their season Tuesday against Tharptown, a team Gardner also knows well. He was working as an assistant to Wildcat head coach Derek Ergle when he was approached about accepting the Belgreen job.
It will be a tough season for the Bulldogs as they try to overcome the loss of eight seniors from last year's squad.
There are only three seniors on the team and Gardner said there would be about three freshmen and one seventh-grader in the starting lineup.
Despite the youth, Gardner sees some potential in this year's team.
"We're going to be a good fielding team," he said. "I'm not sure about the hitting yet, I'll tell you after the first game. I think we'll be good."