Senior Rilyn Coleman is hoping to see a change in fortunes for the Warriors’ baseball team as the 2022 season gets underway. New coach Sammy Lopez says that he’ll be relying on four-year players like Rilyn to help make that happen.

“Rilyn’s a key member of the team and we’re going to lean on him to be a cornerstone and key contributor this year,” said Lopez. “He’s a good leader who is both vocal and leads by example by showing others what it means to work hard every day.”

While he’s enjoyed his years on the diamond with the Warriors, Rilyn says that summer travel ball with the Arkansas Legion Razorbacks out of Texarkana has been even more enjoyable.

“I love travel ball. I’ve played on a bunch of different teams over the years, and I like the travel and meeting guys on other teams, and it’s given me a chance to talk to college coaches about playing at the next level.”

Growing up Rilyn played different sports but in recent years has pared that back to just baseball and power lifting where he was ranked second in the state at the 168-pound division as he prepared for the final weeks of competition. In baseball there have been a couple of folks who have served as role models for Coleman.

“Derek Jeter has always been my favorite player, but my grandpa is my main role model. He was real athletic when he was in school, and he got me started and has been there all along the way for me in baseball.”

As a senior leader on a team that is trying to turn the program around, Rilyn knows that you have to communicate effectively to be a good leader and teacher.

“We have several freshmen on the team this year, so I think you’ve really got to be vocal and get your point across and let them know what’s going down and how it’s going down and what the coach expects. To be a good leader, you have to know what you’re talking about and get the point across without conflict so you have to know your players and how to best deal with each of them individually.”

As he describes his nutritious pre-game meal of sour Gummy worms and water, Rilyn is still a little uncertain about his future plans.

“I’m really torn about whether to pursue baseball or lifting in college but I’m leaning a little more towards baseball. When I leave Idabel, I’d like to be remembered as the athlete who got it done and helped turn the program around.”