East Webster was within one game of playing for the MHSAA Class 2A State Baseball Championship last year
The Wolverines posted a 26-8 record last year and fell to East Union in the 2A finals.
Four starters are gone from that team, including East Central Community College signee Walker Johnson, who went 8-0 last year with 79 strikeouts.
But despite Johnson being gone, long-time coach Wes Johnson likes his pitching staff coming back.
“We have a lot of pitching depth,” Johnson said. “We don’t have that dominant guy like we did last year with Walker. But we have four or five guys that can compete and give us some quality innings. We have guys with a lot of experience and guys who are going to fill up the strike zone.”
Junior Gray McCarter went 4-0 last year for the Wolverines and was second on the team with 44.1 innings pitched and struck out 39 with a 3.00 ERA. Senior Jon Austin Roberts was 4-2 last year with a. 2.27 ERA and led the team with 49.1 innings pitched. Johnson said he is also looking to senior Sloan Hillhouse, Gavin Edwards, Hastings Gibson and Jesse Roberts to see time on the mound this season.
Johnson said the pitching staff is the key to the season for the Wolverines.
“We have got to throw strikes,” Johnson said. “That’s always the deal, no matter what level you are playing at. That’s the key for us, to throw strikes and give us a chance to make plays on defense. I think if we do that, we will have a chance to compete.”
In the infield, Hasting Gibson will see time at first base while Jase Grantham and Gavin Edwards will split time at second. At shortstop, senior Sloan Hillhouse (.325, 15 RBIs) returns while senior Jon Austin Roberts (.369, 32 RBIs, 4 HR) returns to hold down the left side of the infield. Behind the plate, John Wesley Hardin is expected to handle the catching duties.
In the outfield, Wes Silver will man right field after leading the team in hitting with a .495 average and a team-leading 38 RBIs. Junior Cameron Pilgrim (.304 BA) and Will Gaskin will hold down left field.
Johnson said he thinks this year’s squad will be competitive at the plate.
“That’s the big question for us this year,” Johnson said. “Mainly because we haven’t been on the field that much and then we had a week of rain. But I think we should be competitive at the plate. We just need to get out there and see some live pitching. I think we can put nine guys out on the field that will be competitive.”
The Wolverines will compete in Division 2-2A with Bruce, Calhoun City, Eupora, Leflore County and Northside.
“Bruce, Calhoun City and Eupora should all be in the top of the division like always,” Johnson said. “Calhoun should be very solid this season. Anybody could sneak up and win that thing.”
