January 24, 2012

The Monticello baseball team took advantage of Tuesday's warm weather to hit the outdoor practice field for the first time this spring. Former UVa player and first-year head coach Corey Hunt said it was the perfect day for it.

"I'm very excited," said Hunt of the season ahead. "I'm very excited for the players to be able to get out here. I know a lot of them put in a lot of hard work over the winter, over the fall...getting better, getting stronger, getting faster. They want to see the results in the spring and I want them to be able to see that."

The team split into hitting and throwing drills, using just the grass and batting cages for today.

Hunt is a Monticello graduate and just seven months removed from playing college baseball for Virginia last spring. The senior scored the game-winning run against UC-Irvine to send the Cavaliers to the College World Series. Hunt says he hopes his recent experience as a player can help him relate to his new team.

"I hope to be able to get these kids to believe in some things I'm teaching them," said Hunt. "And to believe in things they're going to be able to use in the future. Whether it be baseball-wise, in their life, down the road, this is the age where these guys start to grow up and become men. I hope I have a positive impact on these guys."

For Virginia head baseball coach Brian O'Connor, he has no doubt the Monticello team will benefit from having Hunt as their new head coach.

"Corey Hunt is a very knowledgeable baseball man," said O'Connor. "Not only did he play a position here, he also pitched. He's just always just be in love with the game and learning the game and understanding the game. He's very mature and I think he's prepared for that position."