By Stephen Smoot
“Little boy in a baseball hat/Stands in his field with his ball and bat/Says I am the greatest player of them all/Puts his bat on his shoulder and tosses up a ball.”
This under-known 1999 Kenny Rogers song describes in its opening lines where every little boy’s baseball dreams begin. Just a ball, a bat, a kid, and a little bit of open land will start so many on the path to great times with great teammates making great memories.
A number of young men this spring will start a new chapter in the form of the 2025 season of Wildcat baseball.
Last week, after school let out, players drifted toward the field with bat and glove in hand. The sun shone from a bright clear sky and tried its best to push the temperature to 80 on a nearly windless day. Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” blasted from the speakers, but not loud enough to cover the crack of the bats.
Coaches pitched to players who fired hits into the field, where other players honed their craft at defense.
For Pendleton County head baseball coach, Sam Yokum, outside of game day (especially a win against Moorefield!) there is no better time.
“I’m enjoying it now as much as I ever have,” shared Yokum, who added “we have kids who want to compete and work hard.”
He then discussed the team he will send onto the field this year.
The story still starts with senior James Vincell, who has been one of the beating hearts of the squad since he came to high school. His presence will loom over the team in every way except on the field. Vincell continues to recover from an injury that took him off the football field last fall, anticipating starting his college career at Concord University next year.
“You don’t replace a James Vincell,” his coach explained. His batting average of .539 and team leading six home runs and 41 hits will have to be covered by the talented team in place.
Still wearing a jersey, Vincell will serve more as a player-coach. Although he will not play, Yokum explained that “he’s working very hard mentoring the younger catchers, helping with practice. He’s such a positive young man. He’s going to have a very good college career.”
“He lives and breathes it,” Yokum concluded.
On the field, Yokum has several experienced seniors to help to lead the team as it takes on one of the toughest schedules in West Virginia Class A. In any sport, the middle is where you want your most experienced players and the Wildcats have that in place.
Caleb Armentrout has remained a rock in past years holding down the middle of the infield. He took over full time last season when Cam Beachler succumbed to injury. “He’s really come on throughout his high school career,” noted Yokum, who added “he’s developed a lot of confidence.” Armentrout has performed very well defensively, but Yokum stated that “he’ll have to be a big part of the offense.”
Another senior in the middle of the defense is the fleet of foot Josiah Kimble. Of him, Yokum said that “he could be as good as any outfielder in Class A in West Virginia.” He added that last year, he remembered three specific defensive plays that could stand up to Major League Baseball highlight reels.
“His strength is work ethic,” said Yokum of hard-nosed senior Tucker Smith. Smith also brings flexibility, being able to play outfield and some at catcher.
The junior class starts with Chase Owens who, as Yokum stated “could be one of the best single A pitchers in West Virginia.” Last year his earned run average topped out at 0.81, in part due to the tremendous speed with which he can fire the ball.
“He’s an athlete,” continued Yokum, who added that his defensive position will remain shortstop. “From an offensive standpoint, expect him to come through and have a really good year with the bat.” Last year, Owens led the team in doubles, triples, and runs scored.
Another junior who contributed mightily last year, Cashton Kisamore, also carries the flexibility valued by his coach. While he will play primarily at first base, he can also man an outfield position. Kisamore also pitches.
Caydan Boone emerged in his sophomore campaign as a cool headed pitcher who Yokum stated “had a couple of really good outings on the mound.” Boone brings consistent control of his placement, along with good movement on his pitches. “He shut down three of East Hardy’s hitters in one inning,” said his coach. Yokum sees him in 2025 as a middle reliever and also said, “I like him as a closer.”
He can be particularly effective coming in after a fireballer like Owens because batters have to make big adjustments to hit his pitches.
Another outfielder, Jonas Turner, often appears as a courtesy or pinch runner due to his impressive speed. “It’s pretty crucial in close games to get speed on the bases,” said Yokum of Turner’s contributions.
Barrett Cook, in his third year of baseball, will see action in the outfield. Last year, he showed patience at the plate, drawing walks in half of his at bats.
The sophomore class features multiple players who came on and contributed as freshmen, starting with Cole Harper. Harper “pitched a lot as a freshman” and also played first base and in the outfield. “He really absorbs the game of baseball,” explains Yokum, who also said “Expect big things right now.”
Will Smith also was called upon last year in several situations to deliver as a left-handed pitcher from the mound and also the outfield. Yokum described him as “a very gifted athlete” who “also had some big hits for us last year” in pressure situations.
A sophomore with “lots of hitting potential” who “did a lot last summer” is Noah Lockard. Lockard took lessons to develop skills in catching and hitting, which turned out to be vital with Vincell’s injury. “We’re counting on him behind the plate where James would have been,” Yokum said.
An athlete who had a breakthrough year on the gridiron is also expected to bring his toughness and strength to the baseball diamond. Spencer Hartman will work at third base, but Yokum cautioned that “he’s young and will make some mistakes.” He added that Hartman is “dedicated to this game also” and “will get better every game.”
Another sophomore with “a lot of potential as a hitter” is Colby Simmons. Yokum sees him pitching, but also contributing at second and third base.
Oftentimes, the freshmen have the role as “future stars,” but some of the six Wildcat ninth graders will contribute, and perhaps star, immediately. Travis Owens fits this description, already starting and contributing mightily to the football and basketball teams.
Yokum stated that Travis Owens “has to find a way to get on the field.”
“Gifted with athleticism,” he will serve as a pitcher, but also play shortstop and outfield.
Adding to a staff blessed with left-handed pitching comes Cooper Smith. “He’s got a lot of ability as a hitter, outfielder, and pitcher,” explained Yokum, who then added, “Also, he’s fast. He can run.”
Other freshmen on the squad show tremendous potential for making big plays this season and becoming big parts of the squad in the future.
The “scrappy” Ty Armentrout is, as Yokum describes “a carbon copy of (his brother) Caleb” who also “plays beyond his years.” He will play middle infielder roles, as well as in the outfield.
Connor Hartman demonstrates “a lot of ability,” but “he’s very raw right now.” He adds a left handed bat to the bench and currently plays in the outfield. He gets a “good read on the ball off the bat,” but “needs a lot of reps, especially in hitting.”
The “natural athlete” Brody Sites, Yokum says that “he can play anywhere” except pitcher. He will likely do a lot of work catching, but can also play second, third, or any spot in the outfield.
Mason Harper is a “big kid who can play third, first, or outfield.” He hits the ball well and Yokum said that he will also pitch some.
“We have a lot of pretty good ninth and tenth graders, but not a lot of juniors and seniors,” said Yokum. He added that “the youth will have to step up.” The coach evaluated his squad as a whole as “good guys. I like what I’m seeing. We just need to get into the games. We’ve been practicing since mid-February.”
That is especially true considering the Wildcats’ loaded schedule. Yokum stated that the team will face four teams in the AAAA category, three in AAA, and six in AA. Many of the AA games will come against regional rivals that recently elevated in class, such as Petersburg and Moorefield.
Pendleton County opened against Class AAA Keyser, but also take on power teams, such as Musselman, Jefferson, and Hampshire. Additionally, the Wildcats will also host Point Pleasant, from Mason County on the Ohio River.
“The only way that you grow is through adversity,” said Yokum.
