HS Baseball: Wyoming East has its eyes focused on Charleston

Cover photo by Tina Laney Photography

The last time Wyoming East played in the state baseball tournament, the members of the current roster were pre-school age.

Thirteen years have past since Warrior Nation made the trip to Charleston for a try at the state baseball championship.

The burning question is, could this be the year that the drought comes to an end?

Wyoming East clearly has the talent to accomplish that feat, it's just a matter of getting it done between the lines.

"We expected to be pretty good. We thought we would be, anyway," head coach Kevin Hedinger said. "We played a lot of summer ball and had pretty good success."

When you look down the roster, the names are familiar, but the Warriors still have plenty of youth on the field.

"We lost three seniors that were part-time starters and designated hitters. They were good players," Hedinger said. "Right now we have two seniors, three juniors, but then a large class of sophomores. We had (sophomore) Jaeden (Lester) transfer in (from Westside) and he has helped a lot with the pitching. We are happy with where we are at, but we can't satisfied right now."

Remaining humble is definitely a drum the Wyoming East coach has been beating since his team opened the season red-hot, going 9-2 out of the gate.

Among the wins are triumphs over James Monroe, who was a regional finalist last year, and Charleston Catholic. The Irish have won two of the last three Class A state baseball crowns, but moved up to Class AA under the new four-class system this year.

"We knew the James Monroe game was a really big game. They were really good last year and put a thumping on us," Hedinger said. "The Charleston Catholic game, we really didn't know, and was hoping to compete with them. We got behind early, but started pecking away. That was a big win for us. The kids were excited about it. That's a good program and they don't lose many games."

Wyoming East never led against the Irish until the final swing of the bat in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Trailing 6-4, the Warriors loaded the bases for junior Jarred Phillips who promptly cleared the sacks with a game-winning double to the left field fence.

"Jarred pitched well for us last year and he is sneaky with the bat," Hedinger said "He doesn't have a textbook swing, but we don't really fool with it because he will take a couple of bad swings and then just rip one in the gap somewhere. I'm not messing with that."

photo by Heather Belcher

Zach Hunt has been the team leader for Wyoming East, hitting just under.500 through the first 11 games.

"One, he is a really good player, but he is a really good kid too," Hedinger said about his senior. "He is a really good shortstop and he has played some in the outfield. He pitches, but it is not his favorite thing to do. When he has his curve-ball going, he is pretty tough."

Maybe Hunt's biggest asset is his versatility, possessing the ability to play every position on the diamond.

"He is really, really good at shortstop. He has a quick release at catcher, but if he plays in college, I think he might be a second baseman or an outfielder," the Wyoming East coach said. "He has a good arm and he loves catching. Some days I tell him he won't be back there (behind the plate) and he never complains. He just does what is best for the team."

Miken Smyth has also been swinging a hot bat with 16 hits in his 11 games. The junior standout is hitting .485 with seven extra base hits and has sent 14 runners across the plate.

In addition to doing a solid job on the mound, Lester is hitting close to.500 with 10 RBI. Sophomore Dylan Golden is another threat hitting over .400 and has eight RBI.

All-state freshman point guard Talan Muscari is coming off of a semifinal run in basketball. Muscari has joined the team for the last six games and he too is hitting over .400. Gaige Cooper has knocked in nine runs.

The strong start has also caught the attention of the pollsters, much to the chagrin of the veteran coach.Game one after the first power index was released was a struggle for the young Warriors.

"As soon as I saw we were No. 5 in the state (AA), I told (assistant) coach (Joe) Besl it wasn't going to be good probably," Hedinger said. "Midland Trail threw a good kid, but we struggled and was lucky to win the first game (of the doubleheader). We hit the ball a little better the second game."

The two losses for the Warriors have come against No. 4 Scott at the end of March and No. 6 Logan this past Saturday at home. The Skyhawks are 10-3 on the year and the Wildcats are 7-1.

As expected, the veteran coach in not interested in polls and quality losses. It all comes down to production in the post season where only four teams advance to Go-Mart Park for the state tournament, June 5-7.

"All this doesn't mean anything if we are not in the top four at the end of the year," Hedinger said. "It means nothing."

Wyoming East travels to county and regional rival Westside Monday night before going to Logan for a rematch Wednesday.

Princeton and Oak Hill come to New Richmond Thursday and Friday, respectively, before the Warriors go to Mingo Central Saturday.