COLLINSVILLE — Getting a hit might appear to be easy for West Lauderdale senior outfielder Cole Hurst.

The Knights senior enters today’s best-of-three round Class 4A championship round against Corinth batting .511, according to MaxPreps.com. That means he’s getting a hit in just more than half of his at-bats. Even more impressive, Hurst has only struck out six times in 124 plate appearances, meaning he’s constantly putting the ball in play, even if it’s an out.

While hitting may appear effortless, Hurst getting to play baseball isn’t. Last summer, he was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes and now has to manage those symptoms in order to play. When he initially found out, Hurst didn’t know much about the condition and worried he might have to forego playing his senior season.

“We had no idea what to expect, whether I could play or what kind of problems I would have if I did play,” Hurst recalled. “It was a blessing to find out I could (play) and nothing was going to be wrong.”

Hurst’s father, former West Lauderdale standout Jody Hurst, who is an assistant coach for the Knights, remembers his son learning of the diagnosis last June after he complained about being tired all of the time. After taking Cole Hurst to UAB, he said the staff there did an excellent job treating him and teaching them how to manage things, though it was still a difficult time for the family.

“It’s by far the toughest thing I’ve ever had to deal with,” Jody Hurst said. “Anytime you see your child hurting and something like this happens, you just pray to the Lord to help you handle it and help him handle it. You really ask the Lord to take it away from him and put it on me, because you don’t want that for your kid.”

Eventually, though, the family learned to manage the condition, and Cole Hurst began regaining the weight he lost in the months before he found out. By the time spring rolled around, Cole Hurst was ready to play his senior season.

“The doctors said he could do anything except for being an astronaut or joining the armed forces,” Jody Hurst said.

The elder Hurst went on to say he learned of athletes like former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler who played through the condition.

“We know there are a lot of people out there who have this medical condition, and they are as normal as can be,” Jody Hurst said.

Knights head coach Jerry Boatner said he can’t imagine someone handling the trial Cole Hurst has been given better than his starting center field has.

“He’s handled it great,” Boatner said. “He doesn’t complain. His dad has been really valuable in letting me know what’s going on. It really hasn’t been much of an issue during the game. There have maybe been one or two times at practice he had to stop and get a patch on him, but it hasn’t been a problem at all.”

Cole Hurst said his father has been a huge help, not just helping him manage his Diabetes, but in coaching him in general. 

“A lot of people know him for what he did playing baseball, but he’s just great,” Cole Hurst said. “He’s always supportive of everything I do. He’ll get onto me if I do something wrong, but it’s never very critical. It’s just great having him out here.”

For Boatner, it’s great having the both of them. While Jody Hurst provides valuable coaching, Cole Hurst has been a big spark for West Lauderdale in helping the team get to the Class 4A championship.

“In my 49 years I’ve coached, we’ve maybe had four kids hit over .500,” Boatner said. “It’s something that doesn’t happen very often, and it’s very special when you have a kid who can not only hit .500, but also put the ball in play.”

Having coached both, Boatner even said there are some similarities between the two — and some contrasting characteristics.

“Both of them are quiet and laid back,” Boatner said. “They’re different players. Coach Hurst could fly; he was the fastest man at Mississippi State when he was there. Cole isn’t as fast as his dad, but he has good speed. He doesn’t have the size and strength of his dad, but he has a great attitude, a good work ethic and puts the ball in play — and he’s a great bunter. He’s one of the best bunters we’ve ever had.”

Cole Hurst said his approach doesn’t change much except when he’s asked to bunt. Despite being the team’s .500 hitter, he said he doesn’t get a big head and tries to stay humble.

“I’m just trying to hit the ball hard up the middle every time,” Cole Hurst said. “My approach doesn’t really change. I just try to do what’s best for the team, whether it’s bunting or trying to get on base. I’m just trying to help us win.”

According to his father, Cole Hurst’s best attribute may be his brain.

“More than anything, he’s smart and in control,” Jody Hurst said. “He understands the game and how pitchers are going to pitch him. He doesn’t try to do more than he can. He knows what his limitations are as a player. He knows he’s a base hitter and runs well, so he tries to take advantage of that.”

With only one more series left as a high schooler, Cole Hurst said he wouldn’t want it to be on any other stage outside of the state championship series.

“This is my last year, and we’ve put in so much hard work to get here,” Cole Hurst said. “It’s just rewarding to know we’re finally here and have a chance to win.”

West Lauderdale will play Corinth at 4 p.m. today at Trustmark Park in Pearl. Game 2 will be at 1 p.m. Thursday. Game 3, if necessary, will be Saturday at a time to be determined.