Tucker takes over Douglas baseball this spring

Douglas High School baseball is being led in a new direction this spring under first year head coach Jim Tucker.

Tucker replaces Ryan Gonzalez, who was Douglas’ head coach for the previous three seasons.  

Tucker, who is the Tigers’ cross country coach in the fall, served the last two years as Douglas’ junior varsity coach.

The new man in charge is a former Div. I baseball player, who pitched at Chicago State (2009-13).  An elbow injury in the middle of his collegiate career forced him to need Tommy John surgery.

It didn’t take long for Tucker to pick up the notepad after that.

Prior to moving to Nevada, Tucker was a varsity head coach in his home state of Indiana for five years.

“I think my value to the team and program is culture and the psychology standpoint,” said Tucker. “My philosophy is trying to have the resources to keep our players healthy and on the field to open the door to play in college.”

Tucker started his tenure with a win as Douglas took down Dayton, 10-0, in six innings Thursday afternoon. 

Shaking things up

There won’t be any overnight trips for the team this spring unless the Tigers earn a spot in the state tournament.

That’s a change from previous years due to previous off-field issues. The first-year head coach says he’s made it a point to players this spring that being a positive impact in the community is an upmost priority.

“We didn’t schedule an overnight trip in hopes that the only overnight trip is to Las Vegas in May,” said Tucker. “With that comes sacrifices and an agreement with the team that we are going to work hard and do the right things.”

Around the diamond

Douglas will be upperclassmen heavy this spring with 10 seniors and eight juniors.

Behind the dish at catcher will be Jeffrey Peters, who has been a varsity player since his freshman season.

When Peters rests, it’ll be Jackson Ovard or Colt Cummins at catcher.

“We have a big roster and a lot of guys who do a lot of good things,” said Tucker. “Jackson (Ovard) is our Swiss Army knife. He’s the one guy on the team, who can play all nine positions.”

Ovard (third base), Owen Evans (shortstop) and Jacob Davis (second base) will be the contingent around the infield most days.

Grayson Kamper, the team’s lone sophomore, will see time in the infield as well. Luke Main is another name that could substitute in for the Tigers on the dirt, but Tucker expects him to have a greater role in the outfield grass.

At first base, returner Keegan Freeman will be on the bag when he’s not pitching.

“I like his left-handed bat,” said Tucker. “Freeman is going to be the guy at first base most of the time.”

In the outfield, returning all-region player Thomas Young will be in center when available.

Young was 1-for-2 with and RBI, two walks and four stolen bases in the win over Dayton. 

Aaron Moss is another name that could be in center field when Young is on the mound.

When Young is in center, Moss and Main will be in the corner outfield spots.

“For better or worse, we are going off of Thomas. He’s going to be our opener and closer in the lineup,” said Tucker. “The speed between those three should make it pretty tough for a ball to find the grass.”

Duncan DeLange also will see some action in a corner outfield spot. Tucker had high praise for DeLange’s bat, saying he could be a real weapon for the Tigers in the lineup. His RBI double against Dayton scored the 10th and winning run in the bottom of the sixth. 

Seniors Aaron Tekansik and Keegan Snooks are two other bats that could find their way into the lineup as well for Douglas in the designated hitter role.

Tekansik hit an opposite field solo home run in the bottom of the fifth against Dayton Thursday. 

Pitching staff

Nearly every Tiger player in the field will see time on the bump this spring.

“We have 18 on the roster and 13 of them could see time on the mound,” said Tucker.

The pitching contingent will start with Young, DeLange, Freeman and Ovard in bulk-inning roles.

Robert Williams, who was an all-region player last season, will see frequent usage out of the bullpen.

Moss, Evans and Davis are other names that will come on in relief as well.

Snooks, who is recovering from an arm injury, could see time on the mound depending on his recovery.

Six different arms threw an inning each, allowing a total of four hits Thursday versus the Dust Devils. 

“A successful season is bringing back and lighting the fire of baseball in this community. Getting the seniors to a point where they leave their mark and legacy that’s bigger than themselves,” said Tucker. “If we do that, the win-loss record doesn’t matter. … My biggest concern is getting them to act in a way that’s positive for the community. … At the end of the day it’s about who these guys become in whatever community they end up in.”

(Douglas High senior Carter Bleeker throws a pitch, during a home game last spring. The Tigers took down Dayton, 10-0, Thursday afternoon in six innings. / Ron Harpin)