Triple threat is tough to beat

The regular season is almost over for the Eastfield baseball team, but the Harvesters are heading to the postseason with determined leaders and a united team.
The team, once ranked No.1 in the nation, is now second in the NJCAA Division III poll.
Eastfield had an overall record of 28-24 last spring but has improved greatly this year to a 27-13 record.

"Compared to last year team, we've just got a lot better team chemistry and it's shown on the field so far," sophomore first baseman Rusty Collins said.
It all starts with starting sophomore pitcher Chris Blackmon.
"You know when he's [Blackmon] out there you've got a chance to win the game every time he pitches," catcher Dillon Smith said.

The Forney native is 7-1 overall with a 3.78 ERA (earned run average).
Blackmon has struck out 83 batters in 12 appearances and pitched two complete games.
When not playing, Blackmon shows a side of him most fans don't get to see.
"Off the field, he's a little goofy, a little funny," Smith said.

Smith, who went to the same high school as Blackmon, said he enjoys playing with a teammate "who is serious and takes [the game] for real."
The starting pitcher is holding batters to a .205 average and has allowed only three home runs all season long.

He hopes that his skills will bring him to a higher level.
"One great aspiration is to play in the big leagues," Blackmon said.
Another player opposing teams respect when playing against the Harvesters is Collins.
Collins, a Dallas native, is hitting .348 for the season and has scored 21 runs in his second year at Eastfield College.

"Rusty, he's a leader. He always keeps everybody motivated and pumped up," left fielder Trevor Moon said.

"He shows great discipline, not only in the field but at the plate. He gives you a path to follow," assistant coach Jeff Henkelman added.
Collins has other plans apart from baseball when he leaves Eastfield.

"I am going to go to UTA and check into the engineering program," Collins said.
Another player who has been a key factor on the team is Houston native Anthony Flenoy.
Although he has missed 18 games this season due to a broken arm, Flenoy is 19-for-22 on stolen base attempts.

"Anthony is our lead off hitter, center fielder. When we lost him at the middle of the year, you could really feel his impact," Henkelman said.

Flenoy has 37 hits, including four doubles, so far this season and is expecting to recover from his injury in about three weeks.

 "We have a pretty good team this year and we're jelling, and I knowing we're going to have success this year in the postseason," Flenoy said.

Like everyone on the team, Flenoy wants to first win the district championship, but he also wants to play at an NCAA Division I school after that.

"I want to win the World Series, and I think we've got the team to do it," Flenoy said. "I think the championship is in the future for us."
Some people can already imagine Flenoy in some noble company because of his character and skill.

"Locally, as a leader, he's probably like Michael Young, in that Michael Young is a quiet leader. He'll speak up when it's call for," Henkelman said, comparing Flenoy to the Texas Rangers third baseman.

Flenoy is fully aware of his strengths and weaknesses and has some plans on how to improve his skills.

 "I've got a couple of offers right now from two different schools, the University of Arkansas at Monticello and Texas Southern," Flenoy said. "It's been a dream to play in the major leagues ever since I started, and I definitely will pursue that if given a chance."