Durant has long had a habit of getting strong play from its seniors, and Spencer Nelson is no exception to the rule. This year, Nelson is batting .667 with eight hits, 12 RBI and a home run — all team-leading figures. On Saturday, Feb. 27, Nelson went 3-for-3 with six RBI, a triple and a home run in the Cougars’ 9-2 win over Lennard.
You guys are off to a good start this season. What’s the secret?
As a team, we’re playing really good. When we’re all playing good together, everything sort of falls into place. We’re all playing, doing what we do, and I’m just trying to help my team and do my job.
This is your best start in the past few years, at least as long as I’ve been out here. What did you do differently to come out here and play this well, if you weren’t doing it before?
Just staying within myself, not trying to do too much and thinking about the guys that are in the dugout — trying to help them and win games as a team.
This is your last season as a high schooler. What are you hoping to accomplish?
I hope to continue to do what we do, make it through districts, move to regionals and see how far we can get.
What did you work on most this offseason?
I’d have to say it was probably just getting stronger, working out more than I normally do, and working on my hitting a lot more. Just going to the cage and hitting.
You’re leading the team in most hitting stats, so that time in the cage is clearly working out for you.
Yeah, I guess so. You go through hot streaks and just ride it out while it lasts. I’m trying to help my team while I can.
Big matchup with Plant City (Tuesday, March 8). What are you looking forward to?
It’ll be a good game. We can hit, and they definitely have some good pitching. They’ve got Billy (McKay) and (Jarrett) Joyner on the mound. They’re going to give us a good run, and I hope we can pull it out.
When did you start playing baseball?
When I was 7 years old, maybe 8. I played at Plant City Little League.
What’s your favorite position to play?
Catcher, that’s what I love to do. I’ve played a little first base, but catching just feels right.
Any sport you’ve never tried before, but want to?
Hockey. I’d like to play hockey. It looks fun. It’s got everything you’d want, as an athlete.
Who’s your favorite athlete?
Buster Posey. He’s a catcher. He played at Florida State. I’m a Florida State fan so it’s like a connection. I watched him in middle school and later years. He’s a pretty good catcher. He does it all.
Any college prospects?
I signed with Andrew College up in Cuthbert, Georgia. Going up there as a catcher. We’ll see what happens after. You never know.
Is pro baseball your goal, or do you have other things in mind?
It would be fun to do that, and that’s what I’m striving to do but, if not, I’d be a sports agent. I’d stay around sports.
You get $1 billion. What do you buy?
I’d buy my dad that farm he’s always been wanting, up in Georgia. He just said south Georgia, so we’d see where that is.
A little kid comes up to you, wanting to play baseball, and asks for advice. What do you tell him?
Enjoy the game. Try not to take it as serious as people try to make it seem. At the end of the day, it’s always just a game.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done in a game?
A triple play, by far. I was in Little League. Unassisted triple play — I didn’t know that was possible. I was playing at third and I caught the hit, stepped on third, threw to second and got it.
You guys still play Mario Baseball in the clubhouse?
Actually, we have ping pong now. We’ve changed it to ping pong.