Baseball season is upon Marshall County although numbers look to be limited on the diamond for both Madill and Kingston high school squads in 2025.
The Wildcats, who open the campaign this week, have just 12 players on the high school roster this year while the Redskins, who won’t start until next week due to the basketball playoffs, have only 14.
Madill will largely be in rebuilding mode with just three returning starters from an 11-14 squad last year and a plethora of newcomers having to step in and play key roles.
The starting trio of seniors James Valadez and Mikal Pruitt as well as junior Cooper McHatton are expected to be the squad’s leaders both on the mound and at the plate, especially while younger players pick up valuable time.
“We are going to rely heavily on those three,” said head coach Jared Hayes. “We need them to really step up for us, especially pitching wise in district games early in the season. We like our young guys but they are going to have to get thrown in the fire and learn on the fly, which is usually pretty tough for freshmen. Hopefully they can adapt quickly.”
While several freshmen will be right in the thick of things, including Landon Burgess, Chris Grimaldo and Brayden Jowers, Hayes is excited to see how Venezuelan sophomore Derwin Sanchez performs.
The Spanish speaking newcomer is versatile with the ability to play infield or outfield and has flashed a solid bat. Tyner Roberts is another returning player that will need to step up in a much bigger role this season.
“Ithinkweshouldbesound defensively,” Hayes said. “We have some guys playing new positions and are hoping as the year goes along we can get more comfortable and continue to grow.
Hopefully they can pick it up offensively. It’s a huge jumpforthoseincomingfreshmen that we are counting on. They will need to get going pretty quickly.”
As for Kingston, the Redskins have plenty of starting experience back with eight players that were regulars in the lineup when the squad finished 15-13.
Andevenwiththatveteran leadership, Coach Darron Henson’s squad will still be young with only one senior full-time starter in Brady Greene.
“We have most everyone back and expect to be better,” Hensoncommented.“We started slow last year and struggled offensively but then got going. Our offense in the regional tournament was the best it had looked all season. We lost two one run games to a very good opponent. Hopefully we can build off that and hopefully those guys that are a year older and more mature will help carry us.”
A host of familiar names will lead the charge, including Brock Rumer and Reid Patterson, who were two of the team’s top three hitters a season ago batting .344 and .307 respectively. Ewan Weaver adds some pop in the lineup and was second on the team with 23 runs batted in last year. Lander Burkhalter should also add to his .278 average from a season ago.
Pitching should be a strength with the whole pitching arsenal back, including staff ace Hayden Seeney, who posted a 3.23 earned run average and struck out 54 in 43 innings.
Greene and Henry were regular mound starters as well and should improve after posting an ERA of 4.59 and 3.75 respectively.
Henson also pointed to freshman Slyder Hill as a strong prospect with a great future ahead.
“Hopefully our pitching is a little sharper and stronger this year,” he added. “We have several guys that could lead us offensively on any given day. Rumer had a good year along with Weaver. Reid Patterson, Blane Henry, Lander Burkhalter and Brady Greene all have potential to be our leading hitter any game. Seeney is really versatile and can play anywhere.Hewasournumber one on the mound last year.
“I think we can be competitive and give Silo a run for the district title once we get rolling. I’m ready to get going and see what happens.”