By Chris Parker
Diamond baseball was set to have an experienced team back last season with seven seniors returning from 2019’s squad that finished 4-20 overall.
This year, the Wildcats will have a team that features no seniors, which means the only players with any high school experience were freshmen the last time they put on the Diamond uniform.
“We lost valuable experience. We had seven seniors last season and zero this season. We will rely on a large group of juniors for leadership and experience,” Diamond head coach Bill Gray said.
The leaders in the junior class include: Landon Clement (first base/third base), Kyler Terry (pitcher/utility), Eli Cupp (pitcher/first base), Ethan Cupp (second base/utility), Hunter Shallenburger (pitcher/shortstop) and Wesley Roughton (pitcher/centerfield). Sophomore Jacob Atkinson (pitcher/first base) will be looked to for leadership.
Roughton earned was named second-team all-conference in the outfield as a freshman.
Terry, Eli Cupp and Atkinson will be Diamond’s key pitchers. Terry spots his fastball well with a nasty curveball. Cupp brings velocity to go with strong off-speed pitches. Atkinson locates his fastball well and will get better with more development of secondary pitches.
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Junior Tucker Macy along with freshmen Cody Neal and Kendal King will compete for time behind the plate at catcher.
Sophomore Blake Irwin (second base), junior Jamison Wright (second base) and freshman Austin Evans (shortstop) will compete for time on the infield along with Eli Cupp, Atkinson, Ethan Cupp, Shalleburger and Clement.
Juniors Bryce Clevenger (left field) and Karl Culbertson (right field) will compete for time in the outfield with Roughton and Ethan Cupp.
Unity will be a strength for Diamond.
“These juniors have played together a long time. We are going to have to scratch out runs and play solid defense,” Gray said.
Offense will be important for Diamond’s success as a young pitching staff matures.
“We have to be able to score runs. Our pitching is still maturing, and by mid-season they should be able to control a ball game,” Gray said. “Early we are going to have to put the ball in play and put pressure on the defense with aggressive base running and making them field the ball.”
