KASON STOVALL
BATTIEST HIGH SCHOOL
While the larger schools are caught up with football this time of year, the smaller schools are underway with their fall baseball campaigns and at Battiest High School that means it’s Kason Stovall time. The four-year starter in baseball and basketball hit .385 for the Panthers last year with eight homeruns and had a record of 3-4 pitching with an ERA of 2.21.
“Kason is our leadoff hitter and plays shortstop and pitches for us,” said head coach Chris Gibbs. “He’s just a real key to us being successful this year. He’s a quiet lead-by-example kind of guy and in my experience those kind of guys are the most successful leaders.”
Though he loves both baseball and basketball, Kason says he enjoys basketball a little more because he’s played it so long in school and during the summers. He says he likes playing shortstop more than when he’s on the mound.
“Playing shortstop, I just feel like there’s more action there and I can be more of a leader. I think a good leader does the little things right like showing up even if you don’t feel like it and setting a good example for the younger kids,” said Kason who is also a part of the school’s FCA chapter.
The baseball and basketball seasons last year stick in Kason’s mind as highlight seasons in his high school career.
“People didn’t expect a lot from us last year in either sport, but we did well in both making the regionals in baseball and the area tournament in basketball. We only lost one starter off baseball and two in basketball so I’m really looking forward to those seasons for my senior year.”
Kason’s dad Jason, who was drafted into the major leagues when he was younger, has been Kason’s main role model in baseball while Russell Westbrook has been a player he has followed in basketball.
Jason hopes to play either baseball or basketball at the next level following his graduation next spring.
