MACON — Scott Nash gets fired up when he talks about Will Disbrow.
It”s easy to understand why the first-year Central Academy baseball coach is so enthusiastic after he takes 15 minutes to highlight all of areas in which his senior utility player has excelled this season.
After the breakdown, Nash recognizes Disbrow”s exploits have motivated him so much that he hardly needed to pause to take a breath.
“I am sorry, but I like to brag about the ones like Will,” Nash said.
Disbrow had his best stretch of the season last week, pounding out six hits, including a double, triple, and 11 RBIs, in victories against Noxubee County, Immanuel Christian, and Hebron Christian to help the Vikings (3-5) get back on track.
For his accomplishments, Disbrow is The Dispatch”s Prep Player of the Week. “From one of the very first practices I met the boy, he asked me what he could do,” Nash said. “I told him some things he could do and I immediately saw (the improvement). One of the first times in the cage, I told him one little thing he could do with his hands and one little thing he could do with his feet, and you just saw him take off.”
Disbrow maintained that attitude even last week when he saw such impressive results. Nash said Disbrow remained as eager to improve after getting seven RBIs in the victory against Noxubee County.
“I felt every time I went up to the plate I had confidence I was going to hit the ball,” Disbrow said. “The team was telling me how much they needed me, and I was doing everything I can.”
Disbrow has moved from the bottom of the order to the No. 2 spot and now sits in the No. 3 hole, a prime position for driving in runs. He smiled when he said he probably had more success last week than he did all of last season, when he admits he had a frustrating season in which he “pushed” the ball when he hit.
Disbrow credits Nash for helping him change some things with his batting stance and his technique. As a result, Disbrow”s confidence has soared with his ability to drive the ball to all fields.
“He never thinks he is there and he continues to work,” Nash said. “The beautiful thing from a coaching perspective is he asks and he listens. That is so nice.”
Nash said Disbrow”s willingness to learn has rubbed off on the rest of the team. Initially, he wasn”t sure if he would be able to connect with his players. But he said the success Disbrow has had showed the rest of the Vikings the team can have success if everyone focuses on getting better.
“Once he listened, it just seemed he has 1,000 more questions,” Nash said “He saw a little bit was good and he wants a lot because he wants to be the best he can. He is dying to play at the next level.”
Disbrow has stayed on course despite playing multiple positions. He has played catcher and third base and anticipates moving to second base in hopes of helping make the team defense even stronger. The switches haven”t deterred Disbrow from his goal of getting better.
Nash hopes Disbrow gets a chance to realize his goal and play baseball in college. He knows Disbrow will work harder than anyone else to make an impression on someone. He believes his passion for the game and his ability to find the sweet spot on the new aluminum bats will help him get there.
“I don”t know if he had as much confidence in himself (last year),” Nash said. “But as a coach and as a team we have confidence in him. I can”t honestly remember his last bad at-bat. I cannot remember an at-bat when he was out of sync. You definitely need hot bats, and his bat has been hot.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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