Eastern Hancock shortstop Wyatt Sutton gets a Monroe Central runner out during the fifth inning on Friday, April 30, 2021, at Eastern Hancock High School.
Richard Sitler | Daily Reporter
By Paul Gable/For Daily Reporter
CHARLOTTESVILLE — After watching his team struggle both on and off the diamond a year ago, Eastern Hancock High School baseball coach Chad Coughenour enters the 2022 season with a bit of excitement and optimism.
“Last season was as unique a season as we have ever had, not only in high school baseball but as a society,” Coughenour said. “This team has put in one of the best first two weeks of practice that I have seen in my 16 years at Eastern Hancock. We are looking forward to seeing how this team competes throughout the season and continues to grow both on and off the field as the year progresses.”
The veteran skipper attributed the unique season to a combination of health and safety checks due to COVID-19 and trying to make up for a lost 2020 season. The combination of issues proved to be tough for the Royals, who, according to Coughenour, had to change the way Eastern Hancock approached practices and the entire season.
“We had early games cancelled as other schools dealt with quarantines and had a 14-day varsity quarantine ourselves with three weeks left in the season. Even though the season was a challenge, the returning players are more than excited that this year appears to be a season that is getting back to a closer to normal year. That sense of normalcy, I believe more than anything, is driving our student-athletes this season,” Coughenour said.
A season ago, the Royals finished 6-15 overall and enter the 2022 season needing to replace six starters from a year ago.
“This year’s group has taken up the mantle and are working hard to improve each day,” Coughenour said.
Eastern Hancock brings back four starters to the diamond this year with seniors Wyatt Sutton and Griffin Brown leading the way.
Sutton, a shortstop and pitcher, hit .453 a season ago with 23 runs, 29 hits, 20 RBI and nine triples. On the mound, he was 1-0 and recorded a save.
As for Brown, who was a catcher and pitcher, he hit .295 a year ago and only committed three errors on the season.
Other returning starters for the Royals are: seniors Nash Hensley (infield/pitcher), Logan Harman (outfield/pitcher), Landyn Carter (utility/pitcher), Reed Hedrick (first base/pitcher) and Nick Potts (first base/pitcher); juniors Brandon Ridgeway (outfield/pitcher) and C.J. Titara (third base/pitcher); and sophomores Colton Dishman (infield/pitcher), Chase Stewart (first base/pitcher) and Brayden Sullivan (pitcher/utility).
Ridgeway hit .294 a season ago, while Titara posted a .219 batting average.
Coughenour said this year’s squad will have a “true team concept” that features many interchanging parts.
“With every member of the varsity who can pitch, we will have many options as the season progresses. Our goals are to stay competitive in one of the toughest, small school baseball conferences in the state, as well as putting ourselves in a position to challenge for the sectional championship,” Coughenour noted.
They will need every bit of that concept, as the Royals find themselves looking to make some noise in a very deep and talented Mid-Eastern Conference that features preseason Class 2A No. 2 Monroe Central, Class 2A No. 4 Wapahani, Class A No. 6 Cowan and Class A No. 10 Wes-Del, along with Shenandoah and Daleville.
“The Mid-Eastern Conference will be a constant test and proving ground as we continue to get better each game,” Coughenour acknowledged.
When it comes to the sectional race, Heritage Christian and Scecina both enter the season receiving votes in the preseason, and there is also defending champion Knightstown and Triton Central to contend with. The last time the Royals won a sectional in baseball was 1976.
“This five team sectional often comes down to the draw, but all teams should have a chance this season to compete for the crown,” said Coughenour.
2022 Eastern Hancock Baseball Schedule
Apr. 5: Cambridge City Lincoln at Eastern Hancock, 5:30 p.m.
Apr. 6: Eastern Hancock at Anderson Prep Academy, 5:30 p.m.
Apr. 7: Eastern Hancock at Waldron, 5:30 p.m.
Apr. 8: Tri at Eastern Hancock, 5:30 p.m.
Apr. 11: Eastern Hancock at Indianapolis Scecina, 5:30 p.m.
Apr. 12: Randolph Southern at Eastern Hancock, 5:30 p.m.*
Apr. 14: Shenandoah at Eastern Hancock, 5:30 p.m.*
Apr. 16: Eastern Hancock at Knightstown, 10 a.m.
Apr. 19: Eastern Hancock at Monroe Central, 5:30 p.m.*
Apr. 20: Eastern Hancock at Lapel, 5:30 p.m.
Apr. 21: Cowan at Eastern Hancock, 5 p.m.*
Apr. 23: Triton Central at Eastern Hancock, 10 a.m.
Apr. 26: Eastern Hancock at Blue River Valley, 5:30 p.m.*
Apr. 28: Wapahani at Eastern Hancock, 5:30 p.m.*
May 2: Frankton at Eastern Hancock, 5:30 p.m.
May 7: Eastern Hancock at Heritage Christian, 11 a.m.
May 9: Eastern Hancock at Seton Catholic, 5:30 p.m.
May 10: Eastern Hancock at Morristown, 5:30 p.m.
May 12: Eastern Hancock at Hagerstown, 5:30 p.m.
May 16: Eastern Hancock at Northeastern, 5:30 p.m.
May 17: Eastern Hancock at Daleville, 5:30 p.m.*
May 19: Eastern Hancock at Wes-Del, 5:30 p.m.*
May 21: Blackford at Eastern Hancock, 10 a.m.
* Mid-Eastern Conference game
