Blue Sox are confident going into 2021

By Olivia Carson
Elkton ended their 2020 season with a loss in the playoff quarterfinals and finished their regular season in 7th place. With some new additions to the roster, the Blue Sox hope to come out with a very competitive nature this upcoming 2021 season.

Team manager Dave Loker has confidence that the Blue Sox will come out strong and will be able to compete with the rest of the teams in the RCBL. Loker has some slight concern for some of his new players, as most coaches in the league have not gotten many chances to see their new members play due to the continuation of high school and college ball seasons.

The Coronavirus pandemic has caused many high school and college sports seasons to be condensed and delayed so many young players in the league have not gotten a chance to practice with their team within the RCBL. Other than this minor concern, Loker has no doubt that the Blue Sox will be able to perform at a high level this season.

Elkton is excited to welcome around 8 or 10 new players to their roster this season including two players from Hampden-Sydney College. According to Loker, Infielder Cameron Shields and catcher Tillman Butler are going to be great additions to the Blue Sox this summer.

Loker is confident that his returners Jose Rocha and Koice Quintanilla will help to build a strong fielding group and he believes that the teams’ key strength this season will be with hitting led by Tristan Gordon who batted .241 last season with 14 hits and 18 RBI’s.

When asked what was thought to be the Blue Sox greatest challenge this season, Loker said he figures it will be pitching. On the mound, the Blue Sox are relying on good pitching from one of their top pitchers Derek Justice as well as Will Craig.

The Blue Sox will take on the Stuarts Draft Diamondbacks at Stonewall Memorial Park on Saturday June 5 to kick off their 2021 season.

---