Wallace State’s main experience from last year’s 38-13 team lies within the starting rotation. Lefties Nathan Hill and Ben Hawkins and right-hander Wes Holley return to anchor the rotation. Hill and Holley aren’t quite recovered from arm setbacks, so Hawkins will get the starting nod Friday.
Freshmen Trent Dixon of Sardis High, Andrew Busby of Gardendale and Jonathan Sisco of Murfreesboro, Tenn. should aid the pitching staff along with sophomores Chris Fisher and Gil Walker, who served as the starting catcher last season.
Wallace State’s lineup will be brand new. Besides Walker, infielder Hunter Cross is the lone regular position player returning and he has moved from first to third base. Sophomores Brian Wheeler and Adam Russell should also garner more plate appearances after serving in platoon roles last season.
Putman expects transfers Matt Drake and Brad Montgomery to supply punch in the middle of the order along with freshman Chase Mathis. Drake and Mathis are both Cullman High graduates.
“Chase Mathis hurt his knee, but he’s still going to be able to be our designated hitter. I think Chase is going to be an excellent hitter in college,” Putman said. “I’m also expecting Brad Montgomery and Matt Drake to have excellent years for us.”
Michael Meredith is set to be Wallace State’s starting shortstop after a season-ending elbow injury to Pleasant Grove star Chazz Otwell. Freshmen Cody Lee and Charlie Esskuchen will share the duties at second, while relieving Meredith at short.
Walker High’s Dustin Hood should be one of Wallace State’s top utility men. After playing primarily in the outfield and at catcher during high school, Hood has recently been working in the infield.
“We have a lot of versatile guys and you almost have to at this day and time because of injuries,” Putman said. “We try to teach each guy to play different spots. Sometimes it works to your advantage and sometimes it doesn’t.”
With a strong blend of talented freshmen and impact transfers, Putman believes his club will ultimately find its identity when the conference season rolls around in early March.
“Last season we had so many sophomores who had played the year before and had 175 to 200 collegiate at bats under their belt. We expected to get off to a fast start like we did,” said Putman, whose team started 18-1 last season. “This year it’s quite the opposite. With so many freshmen, it’s going to take a little time to get the feel of playing at this level and get confident. If you can bring them along slow, they will end up being excellent players for you.
“If you have to throw them in the fire early---and some we will---they may lose their confidence a little. We’ve got good enough players who I feel will bounce back if they lose that confidence. We do have the potential to be a strong team.”
ACCC STATS
Cassie Daniels