WHS eyes success
By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com

Pete Hardee knows that expectations are high for his Watauga baseball team.

The Pioneers, who open their season Monday night at home against West Wilkes, don’t necessarily return a lot of players from last year’s varsity. In fact, several jayvee players will end up in the starting lineup Monday night.

But Hardee is encouraged by how the Pioneers have practiced this year and feels they can take that to the field against a very challenging non-conference slate and the always tough Northwestern 4-A Conference.

“They’ve practiced as hard as any team I’ve ever had,” Hardee said.

The schedule itself is as tough as any in North Carolina. Not only does Watauga play state 4-A champion and fifth-ranked South Caldwell two times in NWC games, but the Pioneers also play No. 1-ranked North Davidson two times, No. 2 Ardrey Kell once, No. 4 Providence twice and No. 10 Mount Tabor twice. Also on the schedule is T.C. Roberson, the No. 7-ranked team in 3-A.

To get through that schedule, the Pioneers’ pitching must come through. Hardee likes his starting rotation of Jon Sharp, who will be the starter Monday, Tyler Moore and Ethan Moyer.

Mother Nature may help the Watauga rotation. Poor weather, expected the rest of the week, was the main reason why the Pioneers’ game was moved from Tuesday to Monday. Moyer, who is also on the Watauga basketball team, will get a chance to adjust to baseball should the Pioneers’ hoops team lose to East Burke in the state 4-A playoffs.

If Watauga wins, Moyer, who also plays third base, likely won’t be available until next week. Moyer is also shaking off a shoulder injury, but Hardee said the right-hander is “100 percent” recovered from the injury.

“He’s fine,” Hardee said. “His shoulder is 100 percent.”

Sharpe helped the jayvee team go 15-6 last year. He’s got a live fastball and mixes in a change up.

Sharp is joined by Moore, who mixes a variety of pitches thrown at a variety of arm angles. Jake Wallace, Austin Storie, Mitch Minford, Will Littlejohn and Will Dicus fill out the bullpen.

“He looked good in a scrimmage against South Mecklenburg,” Hardee said of Moore. “He’ll probably pitch Saturday against Ardrey Kell.”

The other side of the Watauga battery consists of catcher Adam Church. Wallace, who can also play first base and the outfield, is the backup.

“I feel good about (Church),” Hardee said. “We’ll see how it goes. At times, we’ll use Jake, but we’ll have to see how it goes.”

Trey Dunnigan, who showed some power at the plate last year, returns to first base. Chris Shelton will play at second base, while shortstop Cal Hardee gets promoted from the jayvee team. Storie will play third until Moyer returns.

The outfield is anchored by centerfielder Baine Austin. Trey Lowder brings his strong arm to right field, while Phil Gordon plays left fielder. Hardee said Matt Phillips will be the designated hitter Monday night.

Phillips and Lowder each hit home runs in a scrimmage against West Caldwell.

“I’m excited,” Hardee said. “We’ve hit the ball well and the pitching has been good.”

• Before the game Monday night, a special tribute will be held for the late Drew Newell, the former Watauga baseball player who was killed in an auto accident last November.

Newell’s jersey will be retired and left field will be named “Newell’s Corner.” A silent auction will also be held with around 60 items up for bid. All of the funds raised will go to the Newell family to offset costs as a result of the crash.