Sweetwater looks to balance expectations, maturation in new season

There is an aura of expectation around Sweetwater, but also a recognition of a challenge for this baseball season.

Perhaps the two beliefs coincide — they might for coach Travis Watson.

The Wildcats return the majority of last year’s team that reached the Class 2A state semifinals, including two All-State selections, four All-County selections and multiple college commits.

But they also have four starting positions in need of filling — jobs that could be taken by faces new not to just varsity baseball, but high school baseball.

“That is four big spots that we have to fill — I think that is the biggest hurdle with plugging in, most likely, a few freshmen. We have a really deep freshman class,” Watson, entering his fifth season, said. “That is going to be crucial for these guys to grow up immediately.”

The Wildcats, who won 25 games in 2023, have four scrimmages before the season to best discover the puzzle’s solution. The basketball team’s advancement to the region tournament has kept some of those pieces off the diamond.

“I think we have to come in and put the work gloves on,” Watson added. “We are trying to do the best we can to move players around and see how they react in different positions. It is almost like working a puzzle.

“You have to figure out where each piece goes and how that is going to help you be successful with your club.”

But the puzzle is not due the first week of March. Sweetwater lost eight games in April last season before eight postseason games en route to a state tournament berth.

If any team understands the importance of getting hot at the right time, it is Sweetwater.

With six freshmen new to the program — all six who could contribute — Sweetwater will have almost two months to get the group ready for playoff baseball.

“With so many young guys having opportunities to play, getting those guys grown up as fast as you can (is important),” Watson said. “Early in the season, you may take some lumps but, by the end of the season, you are hoping that you don’t look at them as freshmen anymore.”

Adapting Sweetwater’s reputation as a hard-nosed, gritty program will be a first step. One coach referred to the Wildcats as “the most blue-collar team they play” last season.

After all, all-state selection Kai Correll bats in Carhartt work gloves. He already ordered a new pair for the season.

“Hopefully we can play that way where we know we are going to play to the end and play hard,” Watson added.

Freshmen Jaxson Powell, the younger brother of Caleb Powell, and Brody Watson, Travis Watson’s son, have been with the team through the start of the season.

Gus Campbell and Ashton Brown have joined in after the end of junior varsity basketball. Bryson Burgess and Nolan Dacus will line up when the basketball season ends.

Last season’s success places the Wildcats in a special spot in the district and the state. But Watson does not see value in comparing the two; 2024 brings a new story to be written and a new team to show new grit.

“We had a great year, but if you dwell on last year and compare this year to last year’s team it is not fair to this team. This is a new bunch and a new team,” Watson said. “Obviously the expectations around the program are pretty high. But you have to go back to work and put the pieces together.”

There is no guarantee of 2023’s success. Even the mesmerizing run from last season nearly ended early in the district tournament. Sweetwater was a pitch away from being eliminated by Loudon.

“It is a very strong district, that is how close it can be,” Watson noted. “We talk about last year, but there is a point where all the focus is on this year. It is a new challenge.”

Depths of the mound

Sweetwater has several players who can pitch. Watson eyes between six to eight guys that can be called upon.

Correll, Caleb Powell, Jayden Richesin and Blaine Watson return after pitching a combined 165.3 innings.

That quartet totaled 119 strikeouts. Watson expects the group to throw over 50% of the innings.

“On paper, it looks like we are probably as deep as we have been on the mound. We have six or eight guys that you are going to pencil in,” Watson said. “We have not had that many options the whole time I have been at Sweetwater, but that does not mean they are going to be successful.”

Senior Tucker Lorenz pitched 14.2 innings last season and junior Cooper Davies has developed strongly after facing 54 batters last season — he allowed only 11 hits.

“They still have to execute, they still have to throw strikes and we still have to play defense. There is a lot of leadership in that senior class. All four of those guys will pitch a lot of innings,” Watson added.

Brown and Burgess could also be called to the mound.

Batter Up

The plate is another area of strength for Sweetwater. Returning the three lead off batters, Sweetwater has a trio that can set a tone, but filling in the four, five and late lineup spots is the question.

“We felt real comfortable with Tucker leading off last year,” Watson said.

Correll worked himself into the No. 2 hole last season with Blaine Watson following him. Replacing Ryan Littleton’s .339 average, 42 hits, nine home runs and 40 RBIs will be a challenge.

“Not saying that will be what it is at the end of the year, but we will probably come out with those three guys,” Travis Watson said. “In the mix, you have Cade Houser and Jayden Richesin. It could be a few freshmen there. (Powell) has been swinging the bat pretty well so far.”

Sweetwater returns 206 hits, 63 extra-base hits, 14 home runs and 166 RBIs. The returning starters hit a collective .342 last season.

“That was the strength of our team — we had some team speed last year and we have some speed coming back. We have (a lot) of guys who have had a lot of at-bats since their freshmen year,” Watson said. “We think they are going to have big seniors years and they know what to expect. They have done a really good job of leadership so far this year. It is like having an extra coach on the field.”

One final puzzle

Figuring out the defensive lineup is the final puzzle for Sweetwater. Despite catching 31.1 innings last season, Houser is not locked in to take over for Cody Myers.

Houser is also a candidate to replace Jake Presley at first base.

“I think (catcher) is where we intend for him to play, but I think he will be open to what is better for the team,” Watson noted.

Dacus and Watson are potential options behind the plate as well. The two freshmen are also candidates at first.

“If we can figure out our catching situation then we can figure out first base. We have three or four guys there that could potentially do both,” Watson added. “It is going to be determined depending on how we line up and who gives us the best chance to be successful in those spots.”

Lorenz can be expected to hold down second base. Houser was a consistent middle infielder last season when not catching or in the outfield. He is joined by Richesin, Burgess and Brown as candidates at shortstop.

Blaine Watson has experience at third and in the outfield.

“We know Burgess is a pretty talented infielder and Blaine will be back and forth like he was last year. Once we get our full team out there and we can get some practices in, hopefully, we can go into the season with a better idea of where everybody will be,” Travis Watson said. “It just takes a little time to piece that together.”

Correll might have the most experience as an outfielder for Sweetwater, but Watson, Richesin, Houser and Powell all have played it before. Landen Boyd and Littleton leave two spots to be filled.

Dacus is another option. Becoming the starting quarterback midway through his freshman season, he has the arm to make the deep throws required.

Sweetwater starts the season with Stone Memorial on March 4, hosts Sequoyah on March 8 and begins district play with Tellico on March 11.