Season Preview: Pottsville High School

February 22, 2015

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Head Coach: Wes McCrotty
High School: Pottsville
Conference: 4-4A
Mascot: Apaches

PBR: What are your expectations for your team this spring?

Coach McCrotty: Over the last two years, we have graduated 15 seniors. This year we are returning two starters from last year’s team. We have a solid 9th and 10th grade class who lack game experience. It is going to be important for us to gain experience through our early non-conference schedule to be ready for our conference schedule. We are participating in two tournaments who have quality opponents. I think our plan/process this year is to take it one game at a time, and see what happens at the end of the season.

PBR: Who is going to be your key contributors on the mound this spring?

Coach McCrotty: Greyson Stevens LHP (9th Grade), Austin Bell RHP (10th Grade), Will Stewart RHP (10th Grade), Ben Wilker RHP (12th Grade)

PBR: For your offense to be effective who do you expect to set the table? Who do you expect to drive in runs?

Coach McCrotty: The top of our line-up is going to be driven by 3 seniors, Tanner Jones (SR) (LHH), Cavin Reed (SR) (RHH), and Taylor Waddell (SR) (RHH). Going into this year, these three guys are going to be expected to get on base, get ‘em over, and then drive them in. Greyson Stevens, Tanner Reed, Austin Bell and Payton Garner are expected to be effective bats within our line-up. Stevens and Waddell are expected to put up big numbers in terms of RBI’s and extra base hits.

PBR: Which Underclassmen do you need to step up and fill a void by last year’s seniors?

Coach McCrotty: With our line-up, it’s hard to say because so many players are vying for starting spots. Through our pre-season workouts, Payton Garner, Greyson Stevens, Tanner Reed, and Austin Bell will need to produce at the plate in order for us to be successful.

PBR: Who is the team to beat in your conference/ your classification?

Coach McCrotty: There are several quality teams within our conference. I would say Dover, Dardanelle, and Clinton would be early favorites within our conference.

PBR: What is your biggest non-conference game and why?

Coach McCrotty: For the last 3 years, my brother, Will (Dardanelle), and I have host the “Boot Game” for the military charity Boot Campaign. This is a big game for both teams not only in terms of bragging rights but for our United States Military. The only reason we get to play the game of baseball is because of these brave men and women! This is an opportunity for both communities to come together to recognize our local military and play for a bigger reason than just the game. Each year, we raise money to help support the Boot Campaign charity. This year Domingo Ayala is expected to make an appearance for the 2nd consecutive year! The game this year is at Dardanelle on April 11th with a 6:00pm start time!

PBR: What tournaments is your team attending this spring?

Coach McCrotty: Northwest Arkansas/River Valley Invitational and a tournament over Spring Break in Prairie Grove

Season Preview: Pottsville High School

Related Content