By Stephen Smoot
According to Wildcat head baseball coach Sam Yokum, “We scheduled pretty heavy this year.” He predicted the season would be “very competitive, very hard. It’s going to be fun.”
Most of the regional rivals bring back experienced and highly competitive squads. Petersburg, Moorefield, and East Hardy lost almost no seniors among the three. Yokum also said “Tucker County will fool some people. They are going to be a handful.”
In addition to the teams normally played, the Wildcats will also battle powerhouse Jefferson, Spring Mills, and compete in a tournament in Charleston.
Yokum explained that though the team has a number of upperclassmen, not all played baseball all the way through school. That said, he expects that “we’ll be a team that progresses all season” and expects the squad to be highly competitive come tournament time.
One of the most experienced players will return from injury to pitch and play second base. Much is expected from Cameron Beachler, also a standout performer on Charles Burgoyne’s golf team, The coach said of him that they are “really looking forward to him helping to lead this team.”
Another senior expected to continue his solid play in the infield is the scrappy and tough Dillon Smith. Yokum said, “Dillon Smith plays very hard” and “leads by example.” His twin brother, Dusty, “has not played since little league, but will play outfield and is tracking the ball like a seasoned player.”
Alden Rexrode enters his third year of play. He can contribute in the outfield, as well as pitcher and catcher. “He’s very versatile,” Yokum noted.
The junior class starts with catcher and pitcher James Vincell. He’s, as Yokum describes “a team leader, more so than just by example.” Although he will pitch, “he’s very, very solid behind the plate.”
Backing up Beachler at second base is the “seasoned” Caleb Armentrout who, after Beachler’s injury last year made some nice plays. Another junior, Tucker Smith, is in his second year on the team. His versatility allows him to play the outfield and catch, “one of those that absolutely will do what you ask,” Yokum described.
Also in his second year is Josiah Kimble. He sat out the season last year, but “is as good as any outfielder around.”
Chase Owens, who pitches and plays shortstop, exploded onto the scene last year as a freshman in football, basketball, and baseball. He brought the skills of a seasoned veteran to all three. Fellow sophomore Cashton Kisamore brings significant pitching experience from last season. “He’s got a pitcher’s body,” said Yokum who added that pitching and first base “will be his role this year.”
Rounding out the sophomore class, Jonas Turner will play in the outfield. Last year, the team used his speed to work more aggressively on the base paths. Additionally, Barrett Cook will play outfield, Caydan Boone will pitch and fill in at second, and Henry Warner, in his first year of baseball, will learn first base and also be used to pitch.
The freshman class includes some intriguing potential. Both Cole Harper and Will Smith come to the squad as left-handed pitchers. Single A teams usually have none of these rare talents. Yokum noted that two more southpaws will come up in the next year or two from middle school.
Spencer Hartman will play third, while Colby Simmons will learn second base and outfield. Noah Lockard’s versatility will see him play catcher, but also infield and outfield positions. The “very athletic” David Noble will contribute at catcher and outfield in his first season playing the sport.
“We like the direction we are headed in,” explained Yokum. The early season heavyweights will force the young team to grow up quickly, but the leadership, skills, and grit showed by the players last season and in other sports will make Pendleton County once again one of the toughest outs in the Potomac Highlands.
