Green Sox grow into Van Buren Pointers

Jeremiah Douglas had a night to remember in his final home game for Van Buren. Douglas tripled and singled, and drove in a pair of runs. “He really ran into a couple of balls,” Van Buren head coach David Loyd said. “He nearly had one out of here. He’s been very consistent for us.” The triple was the first of the season for Douglas and a welcome relief. “I’ve been struggling at the plate,” Douglas said. “It’s a great feeling to do that in my last home game.” Related More high school baseball coverage. Douglas’ day at the plate was a definite highlight in his final game at home last Tuesday for the Pointers especially with the 7-5 win against conference champion Fayetteville. “It’s great,” Douglas said. “It’s the best feeling I could have right now.” Douglas’ triple was on a full count in his first at-bat. “He threw it inside and knew I had to pull it,” Douglas said. “I got my bat on it real quick.” In his next trip to the plate, Douglas almost homered but his deep fly into the right-field corner was caught. Then he singled sharply up the middle for a base hit to drive in another run in the fifth inning. “He’s been struggling a little bit for us, but he never gives up,” Loyd said. “He battles. You know you’re going to get a good at-bat from him every time he comes up.” Douglas has walked 11 times this year, tied for third on the team, and is second in stolen bases with four. Douglas has sparkled in the field at first base, committing just one error in 131 chances. “He’s smooth around the bag,” Loyd said. “He’s been like that for a long time.” Douglas has played first base ever since he can remember. “I like it there,” Douglas said. “You get to handle the ball a lot.” Douglas also has been a leader for the Pointers off the field. “He’s been around for a long time,” Loyd said. “He’s been here for four years, and he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s the unofficial captain of our team. He’s an inspirational guy. He’s kind of our team leader and gets us going. He’s been that way all year and back in the fall. The kids look up to him and respect him because they know how hard he works. He’s a great guy to have around. We’re going to miss him when he graduates.” Douglas grew up playing with fellow seniors Andrew Harshbarger, Ethan Holmes, Connor Catron and Dalton Reeves. “They’re all leaders,” Douglas said. “We all try to set an example for the younger guys, and have a great season and try our best. All five of us seniors played on the Green Sox a long time ago.” Those seniors have been a big reason for Van Buren’s 18-5 mark, which includes 9-5 in the 7A-West, and a return to the state tournament. “We feel pretty good about ourselves right now,” Loyd said. “We’ve had a nice year. We’ve got some great seniors. It was good to see them go out with a win. We’re excited to be back in the state tournament. Hopefully, we can make a run.” Van Buren plays Little Rock Catholic and 2018 Razorback commit Evan Hiatt in the first round of the Class 7A state tournament on Thursday at 10 a.m.

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Van Buren High School Athletics

GREEN SOX GROW INTO VAN BUREN POINTERS

LELAND BARCLAY

Times Record | 5/10/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Aaron Shaeffer