Forced to be patient, ex-Knight Cogossi sharpening skills in KCS summer league
This star pitcher/infielder, along with the rest of his KCS teammates, began conditioning in preparation for the 2020 baseball season when school started in August, spending time in the weight room before starting practice on the diamond.
“We hadn’t had a team here in two years,” Cogossi recalled. “We came in and we started working in August. We were getting ready for the season. Then in March, our first game got rained out and we went on spring break.”
Right before spring break, some local high school sports teams were playing on Thursday, March 12, amid news swirling about the coronavirus. The novel disease quickly spread throughout the country. Vacation was extended and teams were no longer allowed to participate in team activities.
The waiting game continued for a month. School didn’t resume, nor did the season. All the excitement was gone.
“It was all taken away from us,” Cogossi said. “When we were practicing, we came in and we worked hard. But we also had fun and we messed around when we worked out in the gym.
“We didn’t even have a team for two years, and then this season was canceled,” he added. “I’m not sure how good we would’ve been, but at least we were going to have a team.
“After the season was canceled, I missed being around my teammates, but I continued to work hard. You just had to find a place to work out.”
New season
But area athletes were given the chance to return to school facilities in late May. A short time later, Cogossi got his chance to return to the field and play. KCS head coach John Barry joined forces with First Baptist Academy coach Jay Scarbro to form a summer league.
Scarbro, per TSSAA rules, was not allowed to coach the Eagles in the summer league. Barry, however, can coach the Knights, who are an independent team not subject to TSSAA rules.
After a few early struggles, Cogossi began excelling this summer.
“He has been on fire. He always starts the game for us,” Barry said of Cogossi. “He’s been pretty much unhitable.”
When not on the mound, Cogossi is an infielder. He’s also been effective with the bat.
“He’s been hitting well, and he had a couple of hits (against First Baptist on Thursday, July 16),” Barry said. “He’s working hard and baseball is his life right now. … Devon is a leader. He’s quiet, but he leads.
“He’s a great kid and he comes from a great family. His family supports him. His school supports him and his coaches support him,” Barry added.
Cogossi, for his part, is grateful to have another chance to play. “It’s nice to come out here and be able to play with these guys, my teammates, and some other guys on this team,” he said.
The other guys on the team are from York Institute in Jamestown, Christian Academy of Knoxville, Gibbs and Tellico Plains.
“This league was really started for the seniors. … But it’s turned out to really help some of the younger players because they’re getting a chance to play,” Barry said.
Once the summer season is over, Cogossi will play in Brett Carroll’s post-graduate program. He works out at Carroll’s BC Baseball School when he’s not on the field.
“I’m going into the BC postgraduate program and I’m going to try to work for a year and try to get some four-year (college) offers,” Cogossi said.
