written by Austin Buuck and Tanner Whitman for Heritage journalism
The 2020 season was about to begin. They were already about to start the tryouts. Everyone was well prepared and ready to make the team. Then a deadly virus happened, and it shut down the school, which meant no more baseball.
Everyone on the team was devastated, but most of all, the class of 2020 seniors, Parker Tracey, Jarrett Kiess, Connor Habisch, Brett Dodane, Tomie Maroney, and Chase Luginbill. They didn't even get to play their final year of baseball.
Despite the letdown of 2020, though, the promising 2021 season is upon us. “The 2020 baseball season was devastating for all of us, especially the seniors. This year's team will be just as talented, and I can't wait to see what type of damage we do in the ACAC,” said the acclaimed junior, Dalton Wasson.
The year’s team has some returning players from 2019 that will play key roles. Three of the key varsity players who are returning are Wasson, who was only a freshman in 2019; senior, Chris Baker, who is a pitcher, catcher, and first baseman; and senior, Clay Gerardot.
Wasson lead the team in home runs (3) and RBI (19) as a freshman, while batting .347. He also led the pitching staff in innings pitched (35), strikeouts (43), and wins (4). He is sure to be a player to watch this spring.
Indiana Tech-bound senior, Chris Baker also enters the season with high expectations, after batting .355 with 17 RBI in 2019.
Gerardot hit .294 with 11 RBI and 6 stolen bases as a sophomore.
“At the start of the school year we weren't even sure if we were gonna play baseball this year. We are blessed to be able to play this season, and the team is looking forward to every single second of it. I’m excited to see what happens and to see what the team can do this year,” said Gerardot.
Many other returning players, including juniors Christian Hoffman, Dylan Hale, Payton Fields, and seniors, Gavin Dinius and Cody Hoffman, also saw varsity action in 2019.
The team’s record in the 2019 season was 12-13, with key wins over conference opponents, Southern Wells, Adams Central and Woodlan.
The season ended with a tough, 2-1 loss to Jay County in the sectional.
Since the 2020 season was canceled, everyone is much more hyped up about the start of this season more
than ever. About 40 players, many more than in past years, took the field for official tryouts, which began on March 16.
The season begins on April 14, with an away game at North Side and then continues with a double header at Whitko on Saturday, April 17.