By Chris Neyenhouse
In their second season back as a program following a four-year hiatus following the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chadwick baseball squad is still looking for their first victory. But just weeks after seeing the school win their first ever state title in boys basketball, head coach Mark Loveland will get three players from that squad on his baseball roster with that winning pedigree.
Connor Cantrell, Isaiah Dewitt and John Smith are just three of the players the team will be leaning on. Coach Loveland will have six returners and 11 total lettermen back from last year’s team.
Dewitt for his part, is a junior who will be a key member of the outfield. The team will also be relying heavily on sophomore Ethan Loveland who is an all-around player they’ll rely on to pitch, catch, and play all over the field. Junior Tristan Smith and senior Trenton Sanders will also play key utility roles. Sanders is the lone returning senior.
“We will put most of our focus on hitting and baserunning this year,” said Loveland. “Last year we didn’t see many plate appearances and had to rely on practices to get our hitting in. This year we are going to focus on contact and making the most of our plate visits.”
The rotation will be anchored by Loveland, Tristan Smith, and sophomore Sebastian “Bass” Whitham. Catching that group will be a host of players. Junior Keedan Matt, Cantrell, a sophomore, and Loveland will all see time there. Seniors Owen Harris and Logan Moeschler, who have joined the team this year, also figure to start at multiple positions in the field.
Kevin Sisco, John McCart, Jayden Matt, and Joe Warrick will also be in the mix for playing time.
Coach Loveland is happy with what he’s seen in practice.
“There is not one player that I can say has made more improvement than the other,” Wallace said. “All the boys worked hard last year and made tremendous improvements. With the same attitude and motivation to get better, this group of boys will continue to impress coaches and fans this season.”
Loveland’s goals for this season are less about wins and losses, and more about setting the program up for future success that can be traced back to this team’s efforts.
“The strength of the Chadwick team is their determination to get better every day,” Loveland said. “We have a large group of underclassmen from 8th grade down to 3rd grade who will be watching these boys play ball. These young men will be leading the way for a new era in Chadwick that has been dormant for almost 40 years. These guys are looking to reignite the drive and start bringing baseball back to life in Chadwick.”
Chadwick begins the season March 15 at Sparta.
