Wesson baseball preview

BY BRADLEY CROW

Coach Hugh Knight 2008 version of Cobra baseball finds itself depending on 2 lone seniors to provide leadership for a unit that has youth everywhere.

“We started five ninth graders in the jamboree the other day,” commented Knight.  “We just have to play and get more experience under our belts.”

The Cobras will count on defense and good pitching early in the year as the weather has not given then many opportunities to fine tune batting.  Knight stated that the Cobras looked good on defense and in the pitching department in their pre-season jamboree.

The pitching staff is anchored by senior ace and Co-Lin signee Jonathan Grace.  Grace will get starting and bullpen help from junior Alan Stegall, sophomores Caleb Broome and Brandon Allen, and freshman Gage Wilson.

Starting at first base for the Cobras will be junior Chris Fink.  The middle infield will be protected by freshman Matt P. Smith at second base and Broome at shortstop.  Allen will hold down third base for the Cobras while Matt S. Smith will take care of the catching duties.

The outfield will be anchored by Stegall in center, while four others will work the left and right field positions.  Those outfielders are junior Sid Cawthorn, sophomore John Stevens, and freshmen Wilson and Patrick Boone.  Knight also expects large contributions from senior Lonnie Reeves and freshman Kyle Cross who just came to practice off the hardwood.

The other Cobras include juniors Langston Berry, Kody Chrestman, sophomores Zach Davis and Blake Tarver,  and freshmen Hunter Hood, Tyson Wesley, Gib Britt and Justin Fowler.

This is Knight’s 33rd year of coaching and 25th year on the baseball diamond.  “We do the little things well like hitting the cut off man and fielding the ball,” commented Knight.  “We just have to get the sticks working at the plate to get better.

The Cobras kick off the 2008 campaign at home Tuesday against North Pike.  Junior varsity starts at 5 and the varsity’s first pitch is 7:00 p.m.