By Chris Neyenhouse
Wheaton baseball is looking for a bounce-back season coming off a one-win season a year ago. Six starters return with eight lettermen total.
In his fourth year as head coach, Tucker Dermott sees reason for optimism.
“I’m extremely optimistic and excited for this season,” said Dermott. “I enjoy the group that I’m going to get to coach and I’m ready to go to work with them. I think that we can be a sneaky good team this year. We are adding to what we had in the fall and I think that we will compete with anyone this spring.”
The Bulldogs look to rely on pitching and defense this season. Senior Preston Johnson brings three years of experience on the mound and features a ¾ release with deception on his curveball and fastball. Sophomore Riley Roller, and freshman Brody Bateman will also feature heavily in the rotation.
Catching that staff will be senior Blake Morgan and sophomore Evan Pyle. Position battles highlight the rest of the starting spots.
“Blake will be behind the plate and all around the field,” Dermott said. “He is a vocal leader. He works hard behind the dish and has provided a spark with his bat as well as his general athleticism.”
Logan Brattin, Camren Brattin, Bateman, Hayden Royer, Devin Bateman, and Roller all figure into the infield mix.
“Camren has played every fall and spring season since he was a freshman,” Dermott said. “Defensively, he can play above average in every spot that I put him in. I will use him to fill in spots that we might be lacking and can do it all.”
Dermott says he’ll be relying on Royer in big spots.
“Hayden is a great example of what a student-athlete should be,” he said. “Academically, he is extremely bright and is active in FFA as the chapter president. He has a bright future ahead of him and leads by example and will consistently do what is right both on and off the field. Devin has been a consistent performer since he was a freshman. We will need him to be gritty and do the little things to help us win as well as be a jack of all trades and play all over the diamond, as well middle-of-the-order bat.”
Johnson, Fernando Gonzalez, Mitchell Shockley, Pyle, and Bodie Lauderdale will all see time in the outfield.
“Fernando is one of the best centerfielders I’ve seen,” Dermott said. “He can cover gap to gap with his speed and he went from not having played baseball before his sophomore year to becoming an all-conference and all-district selection as a junior. We have seven seniors and I could highlight all of them. They have been with me for a while and we will go as far as they take us.”
Wyatt Gorman and Senji Change are also in the mix for playing time.
Wheaton begins the season at home March 15 against Galena.
