MURRAY —Calloway County Head Baseball Coach Jonah Brannon is not asking for much from his team this year.

In fact, all he wants is one thing, something that has never been a problem for his players, even when they have fallen short on the field. All this team, very young in its age, needs to do is give its all, for seven innings.

So far, that is happening. After Saturday’s 8-0 loss to Kentucky state power Bowling Green, the Lakers are 4-6, probably about right for the schedule this team is playing, which is no different in its difficulty than past years.

Even when they have been defeated by wide margins, Calloway has still fought. 

“Win or lose, we’ve just got to stick together. We’re young, inexperienced and we’re going to make mistakes and we’re going to fail, but that’s what the game of baseball is all about,” said Brannon, a former standout player at both Calloway and Murray State, who is in his third year as the Lakers’ head coach. “I tell them, ‘Just do it for your brothers here. Yeah, this is tough to coach and tough to play, but you play the cards you’re dealt.

“We’ve got good leaders and we’ve got to try to hold these leaders accountable. But I just want us to compete … give ourselves a chance.”

In return, those leaders —namely senior outfielder/pitcher, catcher Iziah Cruz and senior pitcher/catcher/infielder/outfielder Zach Akin, along with veteran junior pitcher/infielder Nick Cantrell — are willing to step into the fire of accountability.

All three were important pieces in winning the 4th District championship in 2024, the first time Calloway had won that title since 2018. That team was full of older leaders who they followed, so they all know the drill.

Cantrell is making lots of noise this year as a right-hander on the mound, going 2-1 so far with a tiny ERA of 1.17 with 35 strikeouts. Akin has not been bad either, only allowing five hits and three walks in 6.1 innings with three earned runs.

Add improving junior Trent Jones (1.37 ERA in 15 1/3 innings and the top of the Lakers’ staff is able to face many top teams.

Cruz, while he has delivered some big efforts on the hill over the years, is most known for his ability to reach base with his bat and legs. He is batting .412 and has walked a team-high nine times (Cantrell leads the team at .455 and has 10 hits, three for doubles). 

He has five stolen bases, which is a theme with the Lakers this season as they are 22-for-26 on attempted steals. Akin is tied with Cruz, while Cantrell has four.

Jones handles third or short when not pitching, which is the same for Akin and Cantrell. Experience begins to drop after those players.

Junior first baseman Brenden Cavitt saw some time last year at the varsity level, while freshman Charlie Barnes is new at second base, which he shares with classmate Drake Childress.

In the outfield, Cruz possesses a big arm in center, as does Akin and Jones. Eighth graders Gauge Futrell and Keige Riddle are also getting long looks for outfield duty. 

Sophomore Taylor Morrow had an injury earlier in the season but seems ready to handle the catching duties for the Lakers.