For Blake Herring, Assistant Coach Billy Funk, and the Louisburg College baseball team, COVID-19 has presented challenges unlike any others during Herring's half-decade at the helm.

"We are so proud of our team's flexibility in adjusting to the ever-changing external factors we face and focusing on the privilege of playing the game," said Coach Herring.

Due to COVID-19 modifications the team was only able to get two days of lifting per week instead of three. Coach Herring commented on the impact, "We did have some younger guys make gains [in the weight room], but less of our returners made gains because of that." 

However, on the field things were different. There were no opportunities for outside competition so the team played intrasquad scrimmages multiple times a week. Everybody got innings and everybody on the roster got reps more than they ever have.

"Your front line guys always get reps," said Coach Herring, "but from top to bottom to have our depth get that many reps was a really good thing."

"It was tough for our pitchers to consistently get our own hitters out. However, at the end of the fall the pitchers went ahead. Aggressive runners made pitchers and catchers better. As a team and as individuals we made strides, but a lot of this is going to depend on how internally motivated we are over Christmas."

Entering the spring the Hurricanes have many returners, but the same is true most places so Region X play should be competitive. Returning for Hurricanes are Trendon Craig and Dawson Painter in left and right field, repectfully; as well as all of the middle infield and Dylan Benton behind the plate. Three of four weekend starting pitchers from the 2020 season--Tyler Shepherd, K.J. Wells, and Ahmaad Goldson--all return, and midweek starter Bradley Wilbourne is also back.

Baseball will arrive on campus on January 17 and will have three weeks to prepare leading up to a February 9 contest at Southeastern Community College. Due to COVID-19 modifications teams cannot play the traditional full weekend. So most weeks will only include a double header on Saturday as teams are being restricted from hotel stays.