Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Newcomer of the Year
Walker Williams
SCHOOL Shiloh Christian CLASS Sophomore
HEIGHT 5-10
WEIGHT 190 POSITION Pitcher/Outfielder
THE SCOOP Williams’ early success on the pitcher’s mound elevated him to the No. 2 starter and allowed the Saints to move senior Connor Clark to the closer’s role. … Williams, a left-hander, is hitting mid-80s with his fastball and had a lot of success with a two-seamer this season, posting a 7-0 record with a 1.08 ERA and 81 strikeouts, helping the Saints return to the Class 4A state title game. … Williams proved just as successful at the plate as a hitter, batting .390 with 32 hits, 15 doubles and 27 RBIs. … Made a web-gem sliding catch in the state title game on a foul ball. … Plays for the Arkansas Prospects 16U summer team. … He is also a member of the Shiloh Christian football team.
DID YOU KNOW Most people would think that Williams is named for a family member, but that is not the case at all. He is actually named after Walker Elementary School in Springdale, where his parents first met as grade school sweethearts. Williams’ middle name is Tim after his father, and most people call him Walker T.
QUOTABLE “They kind of just threw me in there one day, and I guess I just did good enough that they kept using me throughout the year. I was ready to go, it didn’t overwhelm me or anything. I knew we had a lot of seniors coming back this year, but I thought I could find a way to help the team,” Williams said.