By Chris Parker
Waynesville baseball has a new head coach in Trent Wise this season. He was previously the head coach of the Waynesville Middle School softball team. He has also coached multiple years of travel ball.
“What attracted me to be the head coach of this team was the passion and knowledge that I have gained as a player and wanting to install it all into my very own program,” Wise said.
Wise takes over a program that hasn’t won double-digit game since 2016.
“The identity that we will have is that we will never give up in any aspect of the game and will continue to develop and get better after our mistakes,” Wise said.
Seniors Peyton Breeden (pitcher/first base) and Davin Vernon (catcher/pitcher) will be team leaders for Waynesville this year.
“Peyton and Davin both bring some of the most experience to the team this year and have really put in the work this off-season to have a great senior season,” Wise said. “They help out a lot with the younger guys to help really build that team unity that we have lacked over the years. This group is a great group and I believe it is because of the two players that are listed. They are great role models.”
Breeden will be the team’s top pitcher.
“He (Breeden) brings the most experience back to the bump and he isn’t scared to throw inside on anyone,” Wise said. “He doesn’t throw all that hard, but he will compete with whoever steps into the box.”
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He will be throwing primarily to Vernon behind the plate.
“Davin Vernon will be my guy behind the plate,” Wise said. “He is pretty smart and a pretty good little defensive catcher. What impressed me this summer was his arm. I think in the three games I got to coach this summer, he threw out six or seven runners.”
Freshman Dylan Pelky and sophomore Ethan Heberling will also look to share some time behind the plate.
Heberling will also be on the team’s pitching staff.
“(Heberling) is my youngest pitcher on the staff but acts as if he were the oldest when it comes to knowledge of the game,” Wise said. “Ethan has a brilliant IQ for the game, and you can see that transition with him to the mound. He will have a great three years here.”
Creed Jones will also see time on the mound.
“I call Creed the Greg Vaughn of high school because he is coming up with new pitches every day,” Wise said. “We even goofed and named one the terminator. But that is Creed’s drive, he wants to learn and become a better pitcher every day by working on his craft. That is what makes him valuable.”
Senior Zac Emperado rounds out the key pitchers for Waynesville.
“Zac is another senior that will really help us out on the mound this year,” Wise said. “He will be a great guy to have come into relief and even have start a few games for us. We have a few guys that will be in a similar role to Zac but his leadership is what will make him valuable.”
Hunter Althusius also returns with starting experience for Waynesville. Weslee Dye has also shown great improvement and dedication in the off-season.
“The strength of this team will be their camaraderie,” Wise said. “A lot of these guys have grown up together and have amazing friendships. To me, this is huge to have in your program because that creates a great dugout environment. They are starting to understand how to turn the fun switch on and off and when to flip it over to the business switch. It’s been great to see.”
Wise will look for his team to battle through adversity this season.
“In previous season’s I have witnessed and heard that once this team is down, they give up,” Wise said. “Not this year, not under my belt. We will fight every inning and not worry about the score and will worry about executing for our man to our left and right.”
Waynesville opens the season on Mar. 17 at Conway looking to start on the path to the first winning season since 2012.
“I honestly think we will have a winning season this year,” Wise said. “Previous years may not prove that, but the work and energy that I have witnessed this offseason has me convinced that this team is hungry and eager to go out and take the diamond.”
