Apaches aim to improve on state-tourney finish

Wes McCrotty’s team was the third seed from the North Regional to the Class 4A State Tournament. The Apaches, who won the 4A-4 District Tournament, manhandled Gravette in the opening round of the regional, 17-3, to qualify for state. They lost to Booneville in the regional semifinals, 11-7, but escaped Pea Ridge in the third-place game, 13-11. At the state tournament at Lonoke, the Apaches fell to the host Jackrabbits in the opening round, 5-1. Expectations for 2018? “We are looking to play with a consistent approach each game and control the situations within our means,” McCrotty said. Five starters return from that squad to lead Pottsville in 2018: Greyson Stevens, a senior lefthanded pitcher/outfielder who has signed with Henderson State in Arkadelphia; Nick Hagerty, a senior right-handed pitcher/outfielder; Kyle Hudson, a senior infielder; and junior twins Mason and Rylee Huie, infielder/pitcher and catcher, respectively. Stevens is Pottsville’s ace, and he and Mason Huie share the honors as best hitters for average. McCrotty said he expects Mason Huie to be the team’s best fielder and best speed, with Hagerty and Rylee Huie expected to contend for best power hitter. Team strengths, McCrotty said, will be offense and defense. Pitching depth, however, will be a concern. “We are looking to compete in each game we

play,” the coach said. “We are challenging our guys with a very competitive nonconference schedule. We are going to challenge our guys to play with a consistent approach and to play with intensity.” The nonconference schedule includes Class 6A Van Buren and Greenwood; Class 5A Greenbrier, the Joe T. Robinson Tournament and the Arkansas First Pitch Classic. Pottsville will play in combined conference 3A/4A District 6 with Atkins, Clinton, Dardanelle, Dover, Lamar, Perryville and Two Rivers. The Apaches will have to finish among the top four in the 4A-4 District Tournament, which will also include Booneville, Dardanelle, Dover, Ozark, Waldron and West Fork, to return to the Class 4A State Tournament. Booneville was the only other league team to reach the state tournament last year.