Surprise appearance may turn into regular occurrence for Gibbs

COLUMN: Saturday evening the following line came across my Twitter feed: “L. Gibbs: W (1-0), 6.1 IP, ER, 2H, 2BB, 5K, 103 pitches.”

A brief text conversation ensued.

“Luke pitches?” I asked.

“He does now!” Oxford coach Chris Baughman replied. (more…) (March 19, 2012, Page 7)

Chargers rally to defeat Wildcats

Oxford concluded its annual Spring Break Tournament at Edwin Moak Field on Thursday with a 3-2 win over Independence that showed the Chargers’ ability to pitch, defend and score runs in an efficient manner.

Even though the Chargers (7-5 overall) fell behind the Wildcats 2-0, there was never any panic, never any despair shown in the dugout that a comeback wasn’t going to be made. (March 16, 2012, Page 6A)

Eagles outlast Oxford in tourney opener

Oxford’s first game of its annual Spring Break Tournament at Edwin Moak field came down to a couple swings of the bat Monday. Unfortunately for the Chargers, it was Jackson (Tenn.) Christian that ended up getting the best swings as the Eagles topped OHS 5-3.

Jackson Christian’s Matt Poteete hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to break the 3-3 tie and catapult the Eagles to a win in the tournament that continues through Thursday.

Potette’s home run was one of three in the game for the Eagles, who also had success in going deep in the game leading up to their meeting with the Chargers. Brad Sills, Jackson’s designated hitter and No. 7 hitter in the lineup, also had two solo home runs in the contest. His first came in the fourth inning and put the first run on the scoreboard, while his solo shot in the sixth gave the Eagles a 3-1 lead. (March 13, 2012, Page 6)

Chargers stay tough, take Classic

Oxford baseball coach Chris Baughman held a meeting with his team Wednesday about facing adversity and staying mentally tough.

It didn’t take long for the meeting to be put to the test, as the Chargers had to respond to an early deficit in order to defeat Lafayette 6-5 Friday night at Edwin Moak Field in the Crosstown Classic. (more…) (March 12, 2012, Page 3B)

Whitfield nearly whitewashes OBHS

The final fly ball had barely completed its arc and began descending back to earth before Steven Whitfield began jumping up and down. (more…) (February 28, 2012, Page 9)

Baughman: OHS should be fine with new bats

The way Oxford head coach Chris Baughman looks at it, this may have been the perfect year for high school teams to implement the new BBCOR bats that college players swung last year.

The bats high schools used last year allowed for more pop when ball met bat. (more…) (February 23, 2012, Page 7)

Chargers learn from sweep of Amory

As Chris Baughman found out Monday, there’s nothing wrong with learning a thing or two on your birthday.

Due to poor weather over the weekend, a pair of four-inning jamboree games was rescheduled for Baughman’s birthday at Edwin Moak Field and the Chargers made the doubleheader a learning experience. (more…) (February 21, 2012, Page 8)

Gibbs’ skills make him prime recruit

A lot has been made about the new BBCOR bats and their impact on power numbers at the college levels.

What those bats have also done is put a premium on players who can play “small ball.”

One player who could benefit greatly from the switch is Oxford’s Luke Gibbs.
(more…) (July 7, 2011, Page 6)

Tough loss doesn’t sour summer season

Oxford’s summer season came to a disappointing end on Wednesday.

Looking to make a run in the NEMCABB Tournament hosted at the New Albany Sportsplex, a young Oxford squad was upended by Alcorn Central 8-2.

The loss was a difficult one to swallow, but it won’t be what leaves a lasting impression on coach Chris Baughman. (more…) (June 30, 2011, Page 6)

LHS seeing improvement; OHS adapting to new bats

Thursday’s crosstown doubleheader between Oxford and Lafayette’s baseball teams provided plenty of positives and learning experiences for the two squads involved.

For coach Greg Lewis, whose Commodores won Game 1 4-3 before dropping the nightcap 11-8, he was glad to see improved defense from his infielders. (more…) (June 10, 2011, Page 9A)