DOC ESTES

MHS

The cold of winter makes it hard to think about, but baseball season is just around the corner and that means another year to make strides for Muskogee High School junior Doc (not a nickname) Estes. And Estes will be expected to take on more responsibility this year according to his coach John Singler.

“Doc has been in our program since sixth grade when I was just an assistant coach. He’s a great kid, good leader and an excellent example for our younger players. He’ll start at shortstop for us, but he’ll also be more of a presence on the mound for us this year and hit in the front part of the lineup. I think he has improved the most in his defensive skills over the past two years. He’s a two-year starter and we’re expecting a lot of good things from him this season.”

Estes his .276 with 10 doubles and 13 stolen bases last year while pitching 45 innings and recording 49 strikeouts.

“I like the camaraderie of baseball and it’s fun and exciting and I like being part of the pressure moments of the game,” said Doc. “My teammates all push me, but our catcher Luke Jamison is probably the guy that helps me the most especially when I’m pitching and maybe struggling. He can come out and talk to me and really calm me down.”

Though he still has a long time left to go on the diamond for the Roughers, Doc does already have one highlight to look back on.

“Last year when we played Stillwater, I went four-for-four with two doubles and two singles. That was a fun game for me.”

Although baseball is an integral part of Estes’ life, academics are still the overriding force that drives him. He is in the early college program at Muskogee and will have an associate’s degree from Connors State when he graduates next year.

“Academics are important to me so I can have a leg up on life after athletics. I’d like to play baseball in college, but my overall goal is to become an architect,” said the Rougher hurler.