By Chris Parker
Nathan Jones takes over as head coach of the Wheaton baseball program this season looking to turn around a team that has won five total games over the past three seasons.
He has previous head coaching experience at Gainesville back in 2020.
“(I) saw an opportunity to make a difference in a community that needed direction and leadership for their baseball program,” Jone said.
Three varsity starters return this season.
Mitchell Shockley (sophomore), Logan Brattin (sophomore), Riley Roller (junior), Bodie Lauderdale (sophomore), Brody Bateman (sophomore) and Evan Pyle (junior) will be the key pitchers.
This group will look to improve on results from last season where Wheaton gave up 10.9 runs per game.
“We couldn’t compete like we needed to on the mound because of our lack of throwing strikes,” Jones said. “That will have to improve for us to be competitive.”
Lauderdale and Bateman will each see time at catcher.
Roller and Bateman are team leaders.
“Riley Roller and Brody Bateman have the most returning experience and are the most vocal players on our team,” Jones said. “We will look to them to keep us on track with our team expectations.”
Wheaton opens the season on Mar. 21 at Galena.
“We need to improve in every way and every aspect,” Jones said. “I believe our hitting could be very good if we can get a few more hits in big spots and strikeout less this spring.”
