The Jay High School baseball coach Brian Moye is implementing changes in his first year coaching the Royals. The team currently has a record of 9-9 with a 4-5 district record.
“The word around here is change,” Moye said. “It’s been an adjustment for the players and a adjustment for me.”
Moye, who previously served as an assistant coach on the school’s softball team, believes the team began to get on a roll after defeating rival Central School (11-3) 4-3 on March 26.
“Anytime you can get a big win against a team that is ten miles up the road from you…that tends to help,” Moye said. “The whole attitude of the team has been more positive.”
Taylor Kelley, who plays left field and pitcher for the team in his senior year, is confident in the changes being implemented by Moye.
“I think at the beginning of the season there has been more excitement than there has been in the last few years,” Kelley said.
Kelley said Moye has led the team to “practice a little bit harder.”
“We try to stay more focused now,” Kelley said. “In the past few years, we have lost some of our focus in practice and it kind of showed in the game.”
In his final year at the school, Kelley wants the team to make it into the post season.
“I have never made it into the playoffs,” he said. “2012 was the last year (the team) has made it into the playoffs. I think we have a shot , I think we can play with anybody in the district. If we keep getting our momentum going forward, I think we can go toe-to-toe with anybody.”
Junior Jay Carnley, who plays first base and pitcher for the Royal’s varsity team, also believes the team has a chance to go into the playoffs.
“I think everyone in our district is the same, if we play some good games in the district then we can make it,” he said.
Zach Carnley, Jay’s cousin, who plays second base and outfield for the Royals in his senior, likes what Moye is bringing to the team.
“He is definitely hardcore,” he said. “When we need it, he definitely gets in our face and I like that.”
Zach also believes this team has what it takes to make it into the playoffs.
“I believe if we keep working we got a chance, we got good players and great talent,” he said. “Our goal is definitely to get back to a winning season and make it through the district’s and make it to the playoff’s and make it to the final four.”
Since the beginning of April, the Royals have two straight against Pensacola Christian High School and Holmes County High School. The Royals will travel to play Northview High School on Tuesday night.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Baseball: Moye implementing changes in first year as Royals baseball coach