Before Blake Hutchison even coaches a game at East Webster, he’s got two players that are making their way on to the next level.
Baseball signing day came this week and the Wolverines celebrated pitchers Jesse Roberts and Kainan Reed on Friday morning. Roberts is set to play his baseball beyond this year in Scooba at East Mississippi Community College and Reed will play in Goodman with Holmes Community College.
For Hutchison, coming into a program with two ready-made college baseball players is something that any coach would take. Beyond that, he’s noticed makeup that goes beyond the physical side of things that make both players difference makers.
“It’s always big when you come in somewhere and have guys that are good enough to do that, that’s special. I’ve got to coach them a little bit this summer and I’m with Jesse every day now. Seeing Kainan on the football field and seeing his toughness out there, I’m looking forward to see it translate over to baseball,” Hutchison said.
“I’m just excited to get going with this group, man. It’s going to be a fun year.”
The Lions of EMCC like the type of versatility that Roberts brings to the table. The senior has played in the field and pitched for the Wolverines for several years and EMCC has plans for the same next year.
Since eighth grade, Roberts has batted .292, had 49 hits, 10 doubles, one triple and 39 RBI. He batted .253 last season with career highs with 22 hits, seven doubles and 21 RBI. Roberts threw eight games on the mound and had a 7.20 ERA in 11.2 innings with 15 strikeouts. He’s currently seen his velocity on his fastball rise to 86 mph and he’s throwing a changeup, curveball and working on a sinker.
There’s still a lot more games to play this season, but Friday was a special time for he and his family.
“This is something I’ve wanted to do since I was little, and I always talked about it. It finally happened and it doesn’t seem real,” Roberts said. “It’s a dream come true.”
Reed throws from the left side and has also been playing for the Wolverines since he was in eighth grade. He was the team’s top pitcher a year ago when he threw 11 games and had a 5.67 ERA in 33.1 innings with 44 strikeouts. He’s thrown 70.1 career innings and is closing in on 100 career strikeouts as he sits at 91.
There are plenty of players in Goodman that Reed has played with over the years including some from Webster county. It made for an easy decision for Reed when selecting his future.
“I’m friends with a lot of them and close to them. I know that they’ll do everything they can to make a team that can be the best that we can be,” Reed said. “I’m looking forward to going down there.”
Reed was getting ready for a football game on Friday night as he was signing his papers but baseball is near for the talented lefty and his righty counterpart. Both players have a college career ahead of them but still a lot of time left to play together and do big things for the Wolverines this season.
Looking across a full auditorium at the people there to support them, Reed couldn’t help but realize how good he and his teammates have it at EWHS.
“It’s definitely a blessing to know that I have my teammates, family and friends that care and love and support me,” Reed said. “It’s truly special to come to a place like East Webster and have the support group that we have. I love it here. It’s home and always will be home to me.”
