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Hitting/Defensive
Tyler Christian- Co Owner
Tyler is one of the Academy owners as well as a hitting instructor and the head defensive instructor. Christian helped lead the Knights of Cabell Midland High to it's first and only state championship in 2003. In 2003 he was selected as the first position player in Midland history to be on the First-Team All-State list. Throughout Christian's entire high school career he only committed two errors ranking him self as one of the best fielders in the states history. Setting many offensive and defensive records Christian was selected to the All-Conference team, All-Kentucky, OH, and WV team, as well as the all tourney team. In reward he received a scholarship to play at Marshall University. After battling shoulder injuries for two seasons he then landed as an assistant coach at Cabell Midland and founded The Academy.
Christian, along with his partner Tom Smith, brought back the highly prestigious "Huntington Patriots". With permission from Patriots founder Dick Brammer, Christian and Smith brought the program back to it's winning ways after just one season. Head coach Tyler Christian took his team on to win the 2008 USSSA World Series among other tournaments becoming the first team in the states history to win the World Series at any level.
Matt Toney
Matt is The Academy's catching instructor. Toney played for legendary coach George Brumfield at Wayne High School. After this he then went on to play at Allice Lloyd College in Kentucky. Here Matt was selected on two occasions to play on a All-American team in Aruba and Australia. Continuing with his alma mater of Allice Loyd, over the past season he is one of the assistant softball coaches for the College. Currently Matt is developing catchers from all over the Tri-State helping several make collegiate decisions.
Matt teamed up with Christian and Smith as an assistant coach on the Patriot's traveling organization helping coach the team to it's World Series title. Matt took a big part in preparation and game control of the catchers and outfielders. Along with Christian and Smith, Toney's methods proved to be successful showing the nation that the Huntington Patriots are a top competitor.
Lauren Booton
Lauren is a local girl graduating from Cabell Midland High School setting record numbers from the plate earning a college scholarship. Lauren went on to University of Indanapolis where she earned several conference honors each session along with a freshman of the year award. Lauren is currently going into her second season working with the Academy.
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