By Chris Parker
Wheatland baseball has big goals in 2023 with six starters returning from a 17-win team in 2022.
At the head of those returning players is reigning Polk County League Player of the Year Davin Sawyer. He was also a second-team all-state honoree.
“His (Sawyer’s) motivation to succeed is probably first on the list. He wants to be the best player he can be and will work each day to get better. Davin is clearly our team leader. His ability and experience, along with the motivation, make him the perfect guy to lead by example. We have a bunch of good young guys that are willing and able to follow that lead and feed off his energy,” Wheatland head coach Pat Dougherty said. “We expect Davin, on the field, to be himself and play his game. We graduated a couple guys that helped protect him in the lineup last year. I’m sure there will be times he won’t see a lot of pitches to hit. He will have to learn to take what he’s given and be patient. I’m confident though, that we will have some guys around him, that will produce and fill those holes in the lineup. On the mound, we expect him to have a big year as well. He has averaged over 2 strikeouts per inning the last two years.”
Sawyer will play shortstop when he is not pitching.
Andrew Murphy (sophomore) and Tucker Shaddox (sophomore) will be Wheatland’s other two key pitchers. Braden Sawyer (sophomore), Avery Ohrazda (sophomore), Nathan Sawyer (freshman) and Daniel Jones (freshman) are all also candidates to pitch.
Ohrazda, Braden Sawyer and Bradley Phillips are all candidates to catch.
Shaddox, Braden Sawyer, Murphy, Sam Stewart, Ohrazda and Nathan Sawyer will all look for time on the infield.
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Owen Kenig (senior), Ty Howerton (senior), Phillips, Caleb Goodloe (junior), Braden Sawyer, Tyler Pederson (senior), Gavin Corley (freshman), Peytun Molder (freshman), Jones, Levi George (freshman) and Matthew Dalton (sophomore) are all candidates for time in the outfield.
“We started several freshmen last year and usually there is a big jump in production from your freshman to sophomore year,” Dougherty said. “We especially look for big improvements from Braden Sawyer, Avery Ohrazda and Bradley Phillips. All three are sophomores and very capable of playing multiple positions while also producing at the plate. They all may see their time on the mound increased this year as well.”
Wheatland will rely on pitching and defense while the offense catches up.
“Pitching and defense (will be strengths). We are capable in both areas, and we should have enough internal competition to keep guys motivated and ready to play,” Dougherty said. “We have the potential to be a good offensive team as well. We just need to prove it. In order to do that, we must develop more consistency at the plate.”
Wheatland opens the season on Mar. 18 at home against New Bloomfield.
“We expect to be competitive and successful; we should pitch well, defend well and hopefully hit well, or at least be good situationally on offense,” Dougherty said. “Our goals would be conference and district championships. Those goals will be tough to achieve, but if our guys will put in the work, they are not out of reach.”
