Reaching for a higher level
By Steve Behr
 
Several members of Watauga’s jayvee baseball team got a taste of what it is like to be at the top of the program last weekend.

The Pioneers went 3-1 in the four games they played during a Charlotte Heat Showcase Watauga hosted last Saturday and Sunday. They won’t play in the IMPACT Showcase that will be in town this weekend mostly since that tournament features some of the top talent, much of it graduating, in North Carolina.

Games, which will be played at Smith Stadium and at Watauga’s field, begin at 6:30 p.m. and go through Sunday. Games will also be played at Wilkes Community College.

Watauga coach Pete Hardee does not want his latest edition of players to be overwhelmed by teams they’re not ready to compete against. Instead, he’d rather see his team compete against teams that will push them to get better, but also have a chance to beat if they play well.

“They’re a good team and this was a good tournament,” Hardee said last week. “There were well-coached teams in here and good players who were in the tournament, so I feel good about what we did this weekend.”

Few of Watauga’s summer players have varsity experience. Returning shortstop and pitcher Cal Hardee plays IMPACT baseball, but pitched a couple of innings last Saturday.

Other veterans saw some playing time, but only a handful were actually starters on Watauga’s Northwestern 4-A Conference championship team in 2009. David Martin saw time at catcher and at designated hitter, but he and Hardee are the lone returning starters on the team.

However, varsity backups such as Ian Stewart (first base) and Beckett Bathanti (pitcher) saw playing time.

Dylan Norris, who was brought up to the varsity for the NWC Tournament and the state 4-A playoff game against Weddington also pitched.

Since 12 seniors graduated from the program, there are plenty of roster positions available.

“It’s kind of nerve-wracking,” pitcher-outfielder Matt Proffitt said. “We did more than I expected us to do. We did great for a young team, I think.”

Proffitt got off to a fast start in the tournament by hitting a lead-off home run. He went 3-for-3 and scored two runs in the first game.

“It’s a different level of competition,” pitcher Ethan Green said. “There are better hitters and better pitchers. It’s a lot different being on the jayvee team. On the jayvee, you can get away with a lot of pitches. You can hang stuff. On the varsity, you can’t do that because it will get jacked for a home run.”