Wildcat Baseball returns proven performers
Photo by Shari Harris
Coach Cole Roark and Asst. Coach Eriq Kristek work with the team on fielding practice.
By Shari Harris
Publisher
The fall season for Licking Wildcat Baseball begins with the Fall Kick-Off at U.S. Ballpark on August 30-31. Licking will face Southwest (Washburn) at 2 p.m. on August 31.
Cole Roark has stepped up from the role of assistant coach and has taken the reins of Wildcat Baseball this year, with Eriq Kristek and Chris Harris as assistant coaches.
Not only did the Wildcats lose their head coach, Harv Antle, to retirement after last season, they graduated 90 percent of varsity-pitched innings. But Head Coach Cole Roark feels the team will remain very competitive at the district level.
His ten returning players are proven performers after the team’s two consecutive years of playing in the state tournament, and he has a good supporting cast of 14 eager freshmen who will have a lot of opportunity to impact the game.
“I expect our older guys to produce and our younger guys to learn and get better,” Roark said.
Pitching will be competitive, with 10 to 12 players who will appear on the mound in varsity games.
Seniors Kale Cook and Jordan Ritz are expected to throw a majority of innings. Cook will also be seen at first base, and is the best power threat at the plate.
Roark described Ritz as one of the team’s best arms, and when not on the mound, he will be found filling multiple other roles on the field.
Other returning seniors include Kannon Buckner, a four-year varsity player who has the most experience. He is an infield player and pitches, and will hit in the middle of the order.
Cole McCloy plays second base and pitches; he adds toughness and grit to the infield.
Gavin Buckner is a hard worker and brings energy to practice; he gives his team a lot of encouragement.
Junior Karson Walker is the fastest member of the team and will play shortstop; he will be the Wildcats’ lead off hitter.
Other juniors will include Nate Gambill and Isaac Rinne, who will be seen in the outfield and pitching.
Roark also has high expectations of sophomores Jasper McCloy, catcher, and Conway Adey, center field and pitcher.
Roark said his returners bring experience in high-pressure, high-leverage games, and will anchor the defense and pitching staff. The 14 freshmen are an unusually large class, and he says they like to play and like to work.
The Wildcats are second seed in the 2024 Frisco League Tournament, behind first-seed Iberia, who will host the tournament. Roark anticipates the Rangers will be tough again this year, after winning the 2024 Class 2 State Championship. Licking will face Plato in round one at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 7. Their home opener will be at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 6, versus Conway.
