Ben McDaniel coached some quality baseball players and teams in his first six years at Columbus North, but he thought his seventh team had the capability of doing some big things last year.
The 2020 season, of course, was shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the Bull Dogs to wonder what might have been.
“I’ve had a lot of talent within my program in years past. I hate to say this because some of my earlier teams were great teams and had great players, but the team I had last year was my deepest team,” McDaniel said. “I thought we had all the makings of being a great team. I hate it for last year’s seniors that they weren’t able to see what they could accomplish.”
North had four seniors last year, two of which now are playing college baseball. The Bull Dogs have nine seniors this year.
“It’s been a good start for us,” McDaniel said. “This is the oldest team that I’ve ever had. While we missed taking advantage of our most talented team last year, this team is definitely one that we’re excited for. It’s the most seniors I’ve ever had.”
Five of this year’s nine seniors have been either starters or key role players since their freshman years.
“This senior class is a special one,” McDaniel said. “It’s a group of guys that have been together for a long time. I challenged them in the offseason to bring the culture back to what it was six or seven years ago, and they’ve responded. They’re very tight knit. It’s a group that I haven’t had to try to get closer together. It’s a group that’s gelled, and they have each others’ best interests in mind.”
Leading the way is senior catcher Austin Bode. Bode, who committed to Louisville prior to his freshman year, was a preseason All-State selection last year and is one of the state’s top players in the Class of 2021.
“Austin’s bat is what sets him apart,” McDaniel said. “That’s been the story for him before he came to Columbus North. Where I’m really happy with Austin is, his defense continues to improve. His arm has gotten better.”
Seniors Kyler McIntosh, who has committed to Alabama State, and Reese Harmon, who is headed to Iowa Western, figure to be the Bull Dogs’ top pitchers. Both saw a little pitching action, but played mostly in the field as freshmen and sophomores.
“They’re definitely 1 and 1A,” McDaniel said. “They have the most experience for us. They played travel ball for me and got a lot of experience during the summer.”
McDaniel also will look to juniors Will Baker and Zach Wager, senior Jacob Bailey and sophomore Luke Harmon for innings on the mound this season.
McIntosh will play shortstop when he isn’t pitching, and Reese Harmon will play short when McIntosh is pitching and center field when neither he nor McIntosh is pitching. Seniors Hayden McDaniel and Blake Huffman return in left and right, respectively.
Baker likely will play center when McIntosh is pitching and Harmon is at short. Bailey and senior Caden Carpenter will provide depth in the outfield
“We have a great group of outfielders that is probably our strength,” McDaniel said. “It’s an old group that’s worked together well and continued to push each other day in and day out.”
Senior Blake Stevens takes over at second base. Bailey, Wager and sophomore Leon Brown are battling at first; and junior Dyllan Redmon, Luke Harmon and senior Gage Bayne are battling at third.
“I’m waiting for somebody to jump up and take those positions,” McDaniel said.
Junior Brier Elliott will be the backup catcher.
“We’re trying to get him ready to back Austin up so we can give Austin a breather behind the plate,” McDaniel said.
North will open the season April 1 at home against Hamilton Southeastern, which won the most recent Class 4A state tournament in 2019. The Bull Dogs are ranked No. 4 in this year’s Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association 4A preseason poll.
“I don’t know that we were expecting that, but we’ll take it,” McDaniel said. “I don’t put much weight into preseason rankings. I only care about the end of the season rankings.”
McDaniel credited his seniors with getting the team ready to play this season.
“As a coaching staff, we’re really excited about this group,” McDaniel said. “There’s a lot of talent, and what’s exciting about these guys is that in the past, we just haven’t had the togetherness and the closeness these guys have. We’ve focused on the chemistry of this group, and it’s the seniors that have really pushed this group along.
“I can’t tell you how much work these guys put in,” he added. “I only get these guys for four hours a week during the offseason, and they’ve shown these guys that it takes more than four hours a week. They’re working every day, they’re lifting every day and it’s contagious. They care for each other, and they push each other. It’s a great culture that we have going on right now.”
