By Chris Parker
Greenfield baseball returns six starters and seven total lettermen from last season’s three-win team.
This year, the Wildcats will look to sophomore Drake Morrison and juniors Guerin Brown and Andrew Mays as top pitchers. Coach Arek Grisham described Morrison as an ace who holds his composure well. Morrison will also catch. Brown is a left-hander who throws a lot of strikes. Mays comes up clutch in big spots and competes well.
That trio along with Ryan Hansen and Austin Pickett will be relied upon for leadership according to Grisham.
Grisham on Morrison: “He holds his composure and is a great vocal leader with good body language.”
Grisham on Brown: “great vocal leader and above average first baseman.”
Grisham on Mays: “commands the outfield and baseballs.”
Grisham on Hansen: “never played until he was 14 and will be looked to hit in the middle of the lineup. His work ethic to get better has been a sight to see.”
Grisham on Pickett: “is a big leader on the team. His work ethic and will to win can’t be taught.”
Grisham hopes to see this season be another step in the growth of Greenfield baseball.
“Two years ago, we started with nine (players). We didn’t know if we would have a team,” Grisham said. “(We had) players in high school not knowing what a force out was or a bunt, just the little things that they need to know to be a successful program. The community has rallied behind us as a team. We’ve had many generous donations to help us get a brand-new field. The field is still in the works, but we get to play on a way nicer field and great things are in the process to make it nice. These kids have come so far from not even being able to play a game of catch to competing last year with some teams that made runs in the state playoffs. All that credit goes to these boys and the community on how hard they’ve worked. The heart these kids have is just amazing to be a part of as I watched them ask the opposing team to circle up and pray with us after all 15 games. Win or lose these boys are turning a program that didn’t have enough kids to fill a team not very long ago.”
