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E-mail This StoryWhen Socorro High School baseball coach Chris Forbes saw Flower Mound second baseman Ryan Akins before the Class 4A-5A Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star game, Forbes made it a point to let Akins know he was glad they were on the same side this time.
The last time Forbes saw Akins was in Lubbock when Akins’ hitting played a major role in Flower Mound beating Socorro in the Class 5A Region I semifinal series.
“He told me he was happy to have me on his team,” Akins said.
The North coaching staff decided on a starting lineup in a unique way. Each of the 18 players who would bat drew a number out of a hat to determine the order. Akins drew No. 16 but players were allowed to trade numbers if they wanted.
The system was used to help ensure that each all-star got at least two at bats in the nine-inning game. Although strange, the lineup worked as the North won, 3-2, in the game that took place at Round Rock’s Dell Diamond.
Akins went 1-for-2 during the game.
In his first at-bat, he lashed a shot to the gap which he thought would be an easy double. But, a quick South outfielder cut the ball off and held him to a single.
“It was definitely a good way to end your high school career,” Akins said.
Akins had one of the most lengthy varsity careers in Flower Mound baseball history. He was with the varsity during his freshman year and took over at second base as a sophomore. Akins also saw stints at pitcher and shortstop during his career as a Jaguar.
“It was fun playing at Flower Mound,” Akins said. “It was tough at first being a freshman on the varsity. I was happy playing with talented people like Paul Kelly and Craig Italiano. I learned a lot from them.”
In the fall, Akins will begin his college career at Kansas State. Akins said he choose Kansas State because of the coaching staff and the family atmosphere he found there. As a Wildcat, Akins expects to get a shot at playing in the infield but is more than willing to get into the lineup any way possible.
Chances are Kansas State won’t be drawing lineups out of a hat.
