By Chris Parker
Wheatland baseball is facing some uncertainty this season after graduating eight players and seven starters from last season’s 33-7 final four team. It was the second consecutive trip to the final four for the Mules.
This year’s team will have early season questions in all phases of the game.
“Offensively, we know what to expect from just a few guys. Everyone else will have to prove themselves,” Wheatland head coach Pat Dougherty said. “We are kind of in the same position defensively as well. We may be mixing and matching quite a bit early on to see who fits where in the lineup and on the field.”
Nathan Sawyer, Brett Dougherty and Daniel Jones will sit atop the rotation and be key leaders. Sawyer threw 36 innings with 37 strikeouts and a 2.53 ERA last season.
“All three have played a lot for us and will be asked to do a lot this year,” Coach Dougherty said. “They will fill key roles hitting and on defense but will likely have to keep everyone on the same page this year also. We are likely to struggle at times this year, so we will need to stay positive, keep working to get better and trust the process. These leaders will be key in keeping everyone focused on the big picture.”
Sawyer will man shortstop when not pitching. He earned second-team all-state as a utility player last season. Brett Dougherty will catch. He was an honorable mention all-state honoree who hit .372 with a .923 OPS last season. Jones will hold down a corner infield spot.
Lukas Gauteri is a junior who Coach Dougherty thinks could also step into a leadership role pitching and playing on the infield.
Easton Pearson (freshman) and Mariah Box (sophomore) are options to catch when Brett Dougherty pitches.
Gavin Corley, Elias Witt, Hunter Smith and Mariah Box are all options on the infield. Lilyan Davis, Kendrah Box and Tymber Rife could be at second base or in the outfield.
Corley, Smith, Witt, and William Gordon also will look for time in the outfield.
Smith, Gautieri and Pearson are all poised for breakout seasons.
“Hunter Smith, played very well in centerfield in the fall. He made a few great plays out there,” Coach Dougherty said. “We look for him to have a breakout year for us. Lukas Gautieri has played varsity, but he will take on a much bigger role for us this spring. Easton Pearson got thrown into the mix catching this fall, and progressed nicely. He will be an impact player as well.”
Wheatland opens the season on Mar. 20 at home against Buffalo.
“We will have to be scrappy and out-hustle other teams if we want to be successful,” Dougherty said. “We are going to have to manufacture runs more than we’ve had to the past couple years. It won’t come as easily, so we will have to keep our nose to the grindstone and be tough.”
