On Tuesday, Milford hosted a strong Delmar team under windy conditions. A quick look at the pitching line for Milford indicates it wasn’t a bad outing as they only gave up five earned runs. While that is a respectable number, it did little to diminish the disappointment of a 16-2 loss in just five innings. Mistakes have been a key issue for this mostly young Milford squad, something that is not sitting well with first year Buc’s coach Devon Reed.
“We are young in quite a few spots, but the players have great potential. However, we can’t be helping the other team out the way we have been with errors and mental mistakes,” Reed said.
With Milford sitting at 1-6, the emphasis is shifting towards what this group of players can become in the future. It will be Reed, a Milford graduate, MLB draft selection and College of Charleston graduate who has taken on the challenge. While Milford has five seniors on the roster, they also have a solid hitting first baseman who is an 8th grade, Colton Webb, batting third in the order. Webb is part of a group of underclassmen who bode well for the future.
“We are asking a lot of some younger players, but they are part of a group who is learning to play varsity baseball on the fly. With the help of our senior leadership, they are developing with each game we have been playing. The wins will start to come, it’s just a matter of practice and improvement, we are getting there.” Reed stated.
As for Reed, he is thrilled to be in charge of a team that means so much to him. A 2011 graduate of Milford, Reed was drafted to play professional baseball at the conclusion of his high school career. Also on the table was the opportunity for a scholarship at The College of Charleston. For Reed, it was one of the easier decisions he ever made.
“I really enjoyed Charleston and wanted to focus on my education. So, playing four years of baseball while planning for my future was the way I wanted to go,” Reed said. “I graduated with a degree in accounting and enjoy working for Luff and Associates right here in Milford.”
Coaching Milford has been a long-time passion of Reed and he is enjoying his time with the team. Having been an assistant coach on Nick Brannan’s staff, Reed took a short break before coming back to coach Milford. If there is one thing that is certain about coaching high school sports, Reed commented that it was not about the money.
“This is about paying back what was given to me by so many people in Milford who lifted me up when I was going to school here. I am hoping to do the same now, I want to help teach the game of baseball, but more importantly I want to help develop young men of character,” Reed stated. “It’s about teaching what is required of you as you go forward in life. This is just part of the educational experience; we are helping to make sure that students understand there is more to life than sports.”
A key member of Reed’s staff is his wife Mackenzie, who was an outstanding collegiate athlete in her own right. She is responsible for calling pitching and works with the catchers as well. The Reed’s are blessed to have a daughter, Ryan.
