Kaleb Titus, the Planters Bank Player of the Week, is just an eighth grader, but he is already the starting shortstop on the Greenville High School varsity baseball team. This week he had four hits for the Hornets, including a triple. He also played solid defense for Greenville at shortstop.
Greenville High School head coach Jeffrey Jones met Kaleb in September during baseball tryouts. He said the youngster’s baseball talent was obvious.
“Kaleb is very athletic,” Coach Jones said. “One thing about playing shortstop is you have to have baseball IQ, and Kaleb’s baseball IQ is very high. He is our shortstop because he is the played the most consistent during practice, and that is the only fair way to be.”
Kaleb, who attends TL Weston Middle School, said he is surprised to already be starting on the varsity team, especially since he had not played orgamized baseball in a couple of years after playing for the Golden Spikes as a young kid. He credits his brother, junior Michael Hodges, for being his mentor on the team.
“I have a whole lot of confidence and I trust in myself,” Kaleb said. “I believe in God, and I believe I can do anything. My brother has given me great advice. He told me to come out here do my thing.”
Kaleb is the youngest member of a Hornet team which is looking to make it to the state playoffs for the first time in a number of years. Despite the team’s 0-4 start to this season, Coach Jones believes his team can accomplish its goal of making it to the playoffs.
Pitcher/outfielder Cadarius Davenport and pitcher/first baseman Tramarcus Brooks are two seniors who will provide great leadership for Greenville this season, Coach Jones said.
“Pitching and defense are the most important things, and right now we could be doing both better,” Coach Jones said. “The hope is to get to the playoffs. None of these guys have experienced playoff baseball. We didn’t play at all because of COVID a couple years ago and that set us back. Last year was a building year for us, and we are still building this year.”
A Greenville High graduate, Coach Jones played baseball at Alcorn State before becoming a high school coach. He hopes to instill his love and passion for the sport of baseball into his current players.
“The most important thing is to give back to the kids,” he said. “Now that my playing career has been over for more than 15 years, my goal is to give back the knowledge of the game to these kids. I love coming out everyday and teaching them the game.”
