Merging teams a perfect fit for travel baseball squad

A merger of two area baseball teams has resulted in one of the state’s top 11-U travel teams.

The Charleston Trojans is one of the state’s top-ranked AAA travel squads, having posted a spring record thus far of 11-1. Since last August, the Trojans are 28-6 with five tournament championships, this after winning 25 games as a 10-U team the previous season.

The team was formed from the James Island Trojans and St. Andrews Rocks of West Ashley. Head coach Ryan Weekley says the teams combined to give the players a better overall experience and to create better depth, thus saving the young arms from wear and tear.

“It’s all about pitching and this merger was simply a way of having eight or nine kids that can pitch on a given weekend rather than three or four,” said Weekley. “Playing four games in two days with only three or four pitchers can be very dangerous for the kids.

“We were fortunate to create a working relationship with Mike Roberts and Bryan Weatherford of St. Andrews, and it has worked out well for everyone involved. It’s about the kids and these kids really get along and enjoy each other on and off the field. As coaches, we have the same goals: to develop kids as baseball players and also as hard-working young men.”

In addition to Weekley, Roberts and Weatherford, former Citadel All-American pitcher Donald Morillo is a part of the coaching staff and handles the pitchers.

“Having someone like Donald, who was a great pitcher and played professional baseball, to handle our pitching is a big advantage,” said Weekley. “He’s a great teacher and he’s so calm with the kids.”

While the Trojans have had plenty of success locally and around the Palmetto State, Weekley is eager to face bigger and better competition as the players get older. To that end, the Trojans are traveling to East Cobb, Ga., to participate in a tournament later this month.

“Anyone who knows anything about baseball knows that East Cobb has outstanding teams, and their tournaments attract some very good teams from across the country,” Weekley said.

“We know what we’re up against but it’s great to be able to challenge our kids. Win or lose, this trip will be a great experience for our young kids. It’s a high level of quality baseball that we need to see and experience.”

Members of the team this spring include Cody Roberts (3B/P), Jaxon Weatherford (1B/P), McGuire Weekley (IF/P), Drayton Stewart (2B/OF), Jace Stern (C/P), Garette Watson (OF/P), Owen Morillo (OF/C), Cooper Morillo (OF), Dolan Owens (SS/P), Rodney Griffin (3B/OF/P), Joey Walton (OF/P) and Graham Wilson (C).