Wells brothers pack 1-2 punch
Austin, Carson deliver with different approaches for Gaels
Bishop Gorman’s leadoff hitter leads the team in runs, hits and stolen bases. The
No. 3 hitter leads the team in average, walks and doubles.
And after the game is over, they go home to the same place.
Carson Wells has been the spark plug at the top of the lineup for Gorman’s baseball team, and brother Austin Wells has been the hitter that pitchers hate to face. They’ve led the Gaels to a 17-4 record, and both are expected to play Division I baseball once their time at Gorman has ended.
“It’s exceeded our wildest expectations for what the boys have been able to accomplish,” said Greg Wells, their father.
Austin entered 2018 with big expectations. He is committed to the University of Arizona and won the Gatorade Nevada Player of the Year last season after hitting .500 with eight homers and 47 RBIS. He was selected to the Under Armour All-america Baseball Game and is considered one of the nation’s best slugging catchers.
Carson, meanwhile, couldn’t be more different. A speedy center fielder, the sophomore is in his first varsity season. He has 10 stolen bases, which matches Austin’s career-high in a season.
“I think it’s good that we do have that separation because we can’t really be compared as baseball players on the field,” Austin said. “He can focus on himself and not have to worry about, ‘My brother’s in right field; he’s next to me.’ Or ‘He’s a catcher, and he’s sitting behind me.’ It’s good that we’re both on the field at the same time, different players helping the team with the dynamic of how we play.”
Playing with his brother hasn’t added any pressure. Carson is a top prospect because of his ability, not because of who is brother is. Yes, Arizona is one of his college finalists, but that’s because his .397 batting average, .486 on-base percentage and his .555 slugging percentage.
“He’s a big shadow, but I feel like I’m not in it at all,” Carson said.
Home life is, as one could imagine, full of sports. Austin said his dad, a former baseball player at Arizona, likes to record their at-bats and go over each player’s approach.
Mother Michelle was a gymnast at Arizona, and younger brother Mason plays lacrosse at Gorman.
Sometimes conversations turn to why teams won’t pitch to Austin (21 walks, 10 intentional by his count), or where Carson is going to college (he wouldn’t divulge much, other than that he wanted to decide “soon”).
But right now their parents can enjoy not having to choose which of their sons’ teams to root for. They have never played against each other, and if Carson were to attend Arizona, they may never have to.
“It makes it really easy on Mom and Dad because they don’t compete against each other in any way, shape or form,” Greg said. “I think it’s the absolute best of situations that it could ever be.”
Contact Justin Emerson at jemerson@reviewjournal. com or (702) 387-2944. Follow @J15emerson on Twitter.