Wildcats have great expectations for 2018 season

Shane Fullerton’s eighth Harding Academy baseball squad is poised to build on a stellar 2017 season. The Wildcats finished 32-5 last year with conference, district, regional and Class 3A state championships. The state title was Fullerton’s second at the helm — the first came in 2013 — and just the third in school history. “We had one senior — catcher Griffin Metheny — who played an integral role for us,” Fullerton said. “It was great to be able to experience that with him and the group of juniors who are kids I’ve had the opportunity to coach since they were 7.” Fullerton’s oldest son, J. Paul Fullerton, was a freshman on the 2013 championship squad; middle son Pate Fullerton was one of those juniors last year. “To be able to say that I’ve been a part of two state championships and both of my sons were a part of those is very special, but it’s even more special to have several other players who have been like sons to me for so many years,” the coach said. With everything that’s coming back, expectations for 2018 are similarly high. “Our theme for this year is ‘We’re all human,’ and what we want to do is honor God with baseball or don’t play,” Fullerton said. “Another theme is ‘Strong under fire’ because what we want to do is relish it rather than feel the pressure [to repeat].” Five seniors return for a chance to defend that state title, including Peydon Harlow, the 2017 state finals MVP; all-state selections Pate Fullerton and Dalton Koch; and all-state-tournament pick Seth Morgan. “Those four drove the offense and defense on last year’s team, and each will be looking for a strong 2018 season,” Coach Fullerton said. “All four will probably hit at the top of the offensive lineup.” He said the other senior, Payton Campbell, will also be expected to battle for a position in the offensive lineup. Fullerton said he thinks several underclassmen will provide valuable production. “Juniors Caleb Campbell, Jimmy Citty and Timmy Stewart played pivotal roles and started on last year’s championship team and are expected to excel again this season,” Fullerton said. “Juniors Cody Campbell and J.C. James will also challenge for playing time. Sophomores Parker Golden, Will Harness and T.J. Hester all started multiple games for the Wildcats as freshmen, and along with Carter Miller, Gavin Sparks and newcomer Eli Henley, they

could be impact players as sophomores.” On the mound, Harlow and Koch again top the lineup. Fullerton said the two racked up big wins last season and look to do the same in 2018. Morgan, Sparks and Stewart will also see ample time on the mound; Pate Fullerton and Golden could also add innings, Coach Fullerton said. The schedule includes a tough nonconference run that includes dates with Class 7A Little Rock Catholic and Fayetteville, Memphis Harding Academy, Mobile (Alabama) Christian and perennial Mississippi state champion Magnolia Heights. The Wildcats will play in combined conference 3A/4A District 7 with Bald Knob, Cedar Ridge, Heber Springs, Mountain View, Newport, Riverview, Rose Bud, Southside Batesville and Tuckerman. To reach the regional, they’ll have to finish among the top four in the 3A-2 District Tournament, which also includes Bald Knob, Barton, Cedar Ridge, Newport and Tuckerman. In the postseason last year, the Wildcats were unstoppable. In the Class 3A Region 2 Tournament, they knocked off Rose Bud, 10-0; Haskell Harmony Grove in the semifinals, 9-8; and Mayflower in the championship, 7-0. In the Class 3A State Tournament, the Wildcats rolled again. They beat Clinton, 10-1; Charleston, 17-7; and Bald Knob, 10-3, to reach the championship game at the University of Arkansas’ Baum Stadium, where they knocked off Greenland, 4-0. Now in 2018, they are ready to pick up where they left off last year. “There’s a lot of excitement on our team about this season,” Fullerton said. “It’s a special opportunity for a coach when he gets to work with people he loves. I know I’ll always remember and cherish this season with Pate, and Dalton and Peydon; they have been like sons as well. I’ve had the opportunity to coach those guys since they were all 7. Then Seth, Payton and Jackson and, really, our entire roster — they are just special kids. “The preseason has been a great one for us, and we are all excited to actually get started. It’s been a cold and wet start to the spring, but we haven’t heard a single groan or complaint. We’ve just seen great attitude and effort. These guys have come to the field every day to work and get better. We know that it’s going to be tough to accomplish our goals, but we are really excited to go to work, and all of us have high expectations.”