VIAN PAGE …presented by Vian Dental Clinic
“WOLVERINES READY TO SWING THE BATS”
The winds of change will blow across the diamond as the Vian Wolverines begin the spring baseball season and head coach John Brockman looks at his lineup card facing the challenge to replace five starters from last year’s squad that put together a 29-11 campaign.
“You can take a look at our roster and tell that we’re a young squad with just one senior (Gabe Gilbert, Sr., P/OF),” said Brockman who returns for his 26th year as the skipper for the Wolverines.
The Wolverines will return five starters to the lineup including last year’s rookie of the year, Draighton Fletcher (So., C) who hammered 59 hits in 142 trips to the plate to record a .416 batting average including 22 extra base hits from the leadoff spot in the batting order. Fletcher will move from centerfield to catcher this season.
Riley Ellis (So. SS/P) will take the mound as the number-one pitcher on the staff and also move to shortstop and give Brockman another productive bat after pounding out 42 hits including five home runs to average .375 at the plate last year as a freshman.
Adding control and velocity to the pitching staff will be Michael Polecat (So., 2B/P) who will also play second base, Kaden Fullbright (Jr., OF/P), Stryker Fields (Jr., 3B/P) and Gilbert.
Cash Collins (Jr., 1B) also returns to the 2024 lineup after posting a .395 batting average last season.
“Our five returning starter gives us a solid foundation to open the season,” said Brockman.
Vian’s tradition rich program will expect to gain strength from last year’s role player to step into the prime time action including Caden Gilbert (So./OF), Drake Buttery (Jr./OF), Drake Collins (So., 2B/P) and Dante Glass (Jr./OF).
Vian will return to Class 2A competition amidst the annual realignment of teams by the OSSAA resulting in the Wolverines relying up their overall win-loss results and coaches rankings for playoff positioning.
“It’s a mix of starting and game experience to start the season,” confirmed Brockman. “I have plenty of optimism this year’s team will find our identity and be ready for the postseason when it comes time.”
Vian opens the baseball calendar with a pair of games at home versus Hulbert on Saturday, March 2nd and Monday, March 4th against Cameron.
“WOLVERINES HAVE NEW ENERGY FOR SLOWPITCH SEASON
With the advantage of an almost total roster returning, the Lady Wolverines has high hopes for success as the slowpitch softball approaches. Garrett Willis will join efforts with LaQuieta Bennett to coach this year’s squad that welcomes the return of three seniors with plenty of game time experience in starting roles. The middle defense anchored by four-year veterans Maisie Wells (SS) and LaKaila Drew (2B) should be solid while Skyelar Locust (CF) covers the gaps in the outfield. Vian will also look to get added measurables, offensively and defense from Hannah Mattingly (OF/So.), Akeelah Truett (1B/Sr.), Kala Gibbins (INF/Jr.), Hallie Russell (UTL/So.), Tressa Sandlin (So.), Eden Girty (Fr.), Scarlett Fields (Fr.), Kaidence Roark (Fr.) and Cassidy Postoak (Fr.).
Vian coaches are eager to get the season started to see how the 2024 Wolverines will combine their knowledge of the game and playing experience into a team that will not only swing the bat with productive results as well as keeping opens off the basepaths with a solid defensive effort.
