By Chris Parker
Stockton baseball won 21 games last season but came up short in a pursuit of a third consecutive district title.
The Tigers are looking to get back to the state playoffs with seven starters returning this season.
“I believe that pitching and defense will be the strengths of this team,” Stockton head coach Darin Henderson said. “We have three senior pitchers with a lot of experience. We also have returning experience up the middle defensively. Typically, when you have good pitching and solid defense up the middle, you are tough to beat.”
Easton Hubbard, Preston Rains and Jack Rickman will anchor the pitching staff.
“Easton Hubbard, Preston Rains, and Jack Rickman are seniors who have contributed valuable innings for us in the past,” Henderson said. “They all have excellent velocity and have developed good off-speed pitches. These three will throw all of our big games.”
Justus King (sophomore), Ty Hansen (sophomore), Cannon Brown (freshman) and Jon Brummett (freshman) will be underclassmen who could see time on the mound.
Senior Cale Johnson returns behind the plate at catcher and is a returning three-year starter. He was all-state as a sophomore.
Weslee Hargus (freshman) could also see time at catcher.
Kale Rader (junior) and Trevor Swggerty (sophomore) are both options at first base.
“They are both big, strong kids who can hit for power in the middle of our order,” Henderson said.
Justus King will likely play second base. Shortstop will feature a rotation of Hubbard and Rains. Third base will be freshman Cannon Brown.
Rickman will anchor centerfield. Wesston Garver is also in line to start. Ty Hansen, Wesslee Hargus, Jon Brummett and Bowen Bird will all vie for time in the outfield as well. Bird had ACL surgery in the fall and will try to return by the end of the season.
“Jack Rickman will anchor us in centerfield. He possesses elite speed and can make any play out there,” Henderson said. “Wesston Garver will likely be the other starter, as he is also a talented defensive outfielder. The final spot will be a competition among several players. Ty Hansen is an athletic player who has invested a tremendous amount of extra time and has significantly improved. Freshman Wesslee Hargus and Jon Brummett will also vie for varsity time in the outfield. Additionally, senior Bowen Bird underwent ACL surgery this fall and may have the chance to return before the end of the year. He started every game in left field last year, and if we can get him back, that could provide a substantial boost defensively.”
This will be a senior-led group.
“Our seniors will be our team leaders,” Henderson said. “Most of them started as freshmen, have won many games, and have made two quarterfinal appearances. We need them to guide the younger kids and help them improve every day.”
The sophomore class has shown marked improvement this off-season.
“Our sophomore class has all made a big jump this year,” Henderson said. “They have put in the time, and we expect them to excel in their roles. Ty Hansen, Wesston Garver, Trevor Swaggerty, and Justus King have worked really hard this offseason and are ready to contribute at the varsity level. We also have a large freshman class that has put in a lot of time and effort. They may not be ready to contribute at the varsity level this year, but they will after this group of seniors graduates next year.”
Stockton opens the season with its home tournament Mar. 22-26.
“I want us to be a gritty team that gives it everything they have and loves to play baseball. I want us to enjoy showing up to the field every day. Good things happen when you play the game for the right reasons,” Henderson said. “There will be some challenges along the way, but I’m confident we can pull it together by the end. Once we unite as a team, I’m optimistic about our prospects against the majority of teams in Class 3.”
