By Chris Neyenhouse
Wheatland has big expectations this season as they return six starters and eight lettermen from a 19-win team that was their most successful in a dozen seasons.
At the same time, head coach Pat Dougherty, who has been at the helm for 23 seasons, is looking for strong leadership from his junior class as the Mules will feature just one senior on the squad.
“We should have good leadership out of that group,” said Dougherty, specifically mentioning his senior outfielder Caleb Goodloe and infielders Andrew Murphy, Tucker Shaddox, and newcomer Andrew Dougherty has come over from Skyline. “He [Andrew Dougherty] is a hard worker that will lead by example and is a great addition to our team.
The team plans to rely heavily on pitching and defense. On the mound, Murphy is the ace of the staff. Behind him the Mules plan to take a committee approach to their rotation and bullpen, with 11 players on the team capable of taking the mound. The roster is also full of players who can play multiple positions.
Braden Sawyer, Avery Ohrazda, Nathan Sawyer, Andrew Dougherty and Tucker Shaddox are all candidates for spots in the infield. Bradley Phillips, Lukas Gautieri, Levi George, Mathew Dalton, Damien Johnson, Hunter Smith, Daniel Jones, Caleb Goodloe and Gavin Corley will be the players to watch in the outfield
Catching that staff will be led by sophomore Brett Dougherty who has impressed in practice with his receiving, blocking, and throwing skills. Bradley Phillips and Avery Ohrazda are also capable catching options.
Improving the offense has been a major focus for the Mules since last spring with the gradation of first team all-stater Davin Sawyer.
“Offense has been an area of emphasis for us since last spring,” Dougherty said. “We graduated a couple good hitters in Davin Sawyer and Sam Stewart. Andrew and Brett Dougherty will add some punch to the lineup and Bradley Phillips, Avery Ohrazda and Nathan Sawyer all had good seasons at the plate last Spring, but we look for big things out of Braden Sawyer, Tucker Shaddox, and Andrew Murphy. We think they will be much more consistent this year.”
After seeing a boost in production this fall season, the team plans to continue mixing up their lineup as they figure out which combinations work best. Juniors Braden and Nathan Sawyer, Bradley Phillips, sophomores Levi George and Daniel Jones, and freshman Lukas Gautieri all figure in the mix.
The Mules start the season at home March 15 against Buffalo.
