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By Kris Henry Mail Tribune August 12. 2015 6:51PM Impact Player Medford shortstop Cole Carder, shown pulling off a double play at regionals, has played a key role for the Mustangs during their postseason run. PHOTO BY BLAINE MCCARTNEY / WYOMING TRIBUNE EAGLE All Cole Carder wanted was a chance. Once he got it, he hasn’t looked back in helping provide a spark this summer for the Medford Mustangs. As the lone South Medford High player on an American Legion AAA baseball team oozing with talent, Carder has quietly carved out quite a first season with the program. Shifting between center field and shortstop, Carder has helped bolster the defense and has even surprised himself with his production from the No. 9 spot in the batting order. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound standout enters today’s World Series opener against two-time defending champion Brooklawn (N.J.) Post 72 batting .367 with 65 hits in 55 games for the Mustangs (42-13). “I’m just fortunate enough that coach (Nate) Mayben gave me the opportunity early in the season to prove myself,” Carder said during a break in action at the tournament site in Shelby, N.C. “I feel like ever since then, I’ve just been trying to get better by working hard and doing whatever I can to contribute.” Carder batted .381 with five runs and two RBIs to help Medford to its fifth regional championship last week. Overall, he has scored 36 runs to go with 33 RBIs and is 17-for-20 in stolen base attempts. “At the plate he’s just been the most solid nine-hole hitter I’ve ever had,” said Mayben. “He just finds a way to put the ball in play and beats a lot of balls out in the infield. He’s just been a big spark for us in the bottom part of the lineup.” “The thing he does really well is he makes contact and he drives the ball the other way really well,” added the coach. “He doesn’t take a lot of walks but he gets on base and really does a good job of helping us turn our lineup over consistently to get our Nos. 3, 4, 5 hitters back up again with runners in scoring position.” Carder wasn’t quite sure what to expect when he opted to tryout for the Mustangs. He was the only South Medford player to do so, and it’s hardly a comfortable feeling to stick your neck out among peers who are typically used to being your opponent. “I knew the guys and played against them but I didn’t know how I’d adapt to them with our playing styles,” said Carder, “but I feel like I’ve grown with them through the summer and we’re really good teammates now.” “There’s a couple South jokes every once in a while from the North guys,” he added, “but nothing more than a friendly joke or two. It’s all been good fun.” It’s all been a great learning experience for Carder as well, with the Panthers shortstop having to adjust to life in center field in the first part of the season. Carder said he played a little outfield during his middle school days, and it has definitely been a different role for him. “I feel like it just kind of came naturally after a while,” he said of his move to the outfield. “At first it was kind of hard to get a read on the ball because getting groundballs is different than flyballs and I wasn’t used to it, but I think I’ve been able to adapt to it. I just wanted to do what I could to get out on the field.” With veteran shortstop Micah Brown returning this season for an already solid infield crew, center field was really the only spot truly up for grabs this summer for a Medford team that returned nine regulars. “We put him out there and from Day 1 he was just a natural out there,” said Mayben. “I don’t think he’d ever been out there but he’s made good reads and has a good arm so we put him out there and left him.” Carder managed several assists from the outfield and has shown the speed and athleticism to track down balls hit into the gaps. “Once you get that first flyball in a game it settles you down,” he said. “I was definitely nervous at first because I didn’t want to drop a flyball because you’re kind of the last resort out there and if it goes by you, they’re going to be running for a while.” Toward the latter stages of the season, Carder switched roles with Brown at shortstop and made that adjustment just as seamless — teaming with second baseman Tate Cowden to turn several double plays in the postseason. Carder said he’s spent the summer taking his cues from Brown, who has served as a valuable leader for the Mustangs and someone Carder hopes to emulate as an upcoming senior at South. The two have since exchanged roles, with Carder moving back to center field for last week’s Northwest Regional championship game and this week’s World Series. Wherever he plays isn’t as important to Carder as the fact that he does play. “Getting in the game and contributing in some way, I feel like that’s the best thing you can have,” he said. “There’s not many guys who can make this team, obviously, and if you can be one of nine that is hitting and in the field for the Medford Mustangs, that’s pretty good.” Staying in that role has been a driving influence for Carder, who definitely appreciates his opportunity. “I feel like you have to go into every game and practice trying to top what you did before because everyone’s fighting for a spot,” he said. “If you mess up in a game or two, you’ve got to bounce back quick because there are guys on the bench who are hungry to play, too, and have their opportunity.” As for this week’s season-ending action in North Carolina, Carder said he is trying to stay relaxed and enjoy the moment. “It’s definitely a little nerve-wracking going in and seeing the big field (at Keeter Stadium) and knowing ESPN is going to be there and there’s going to be a huge crowd,” he said, “but I’ve just got to stay focused and take every pitch at a time and take it all in. It’s really a once-in-a-lifetime experience because you don’t know if you’ll ever get back again so you’ve just got to enjoy it.” Reach reporter Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, [email protected], www.facebook.com/krishenryMT or www.twitter.com/Kris_Henry COLE CARDERWHO: A 6-foot-1, 170-pound center fielder/shortstop for the Medford Mustangs.WHAT: Carder has helped spark the Mustangs hitting from the No. 9 spot by batting .367 with 36 runs scored, 33 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. The South Medford High product has 65 hits in 55 games.UP NEXT: American Legion World Series, Medford vs. Brooklawn Post 72 (N.J.), 9:30 a.m. PDT today, Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C.TV: ESPN3ONLINE: www.legion.org/uploads/baseball/alws2015/ http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150812/SPORTS/150819840 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->