2022 Baseball Preview

MCKENZIE, Tenn. - Coach Rusty Thompson (353-275-3) enters his 15th season as the Wildcat skipper. Coach Thompson and his staff are eager for the 2022 season to unfold. Assistant Coach Nick Thompson enters his 15th season while Lee Whitaker enters his fifth as an assistant.

Bethel returns several veterans with a mix of fresh faces to the squad. The Bat Cats were 20-19 overall and 13-11 in the Mid-South Conference last year. Bethel was 12-10 at home and 8-7 in road action on the season. Bethel was 0-2 in neutral site games.

The Wildcats will need to replace several all-conference members from last year's squad. Pitchers Giovannie Nieves and Alex Valcaracel were mainstays on the pitching staff. Jack Surber finished his career as one of the best clutch performers in program history. Several other key players also graduated.

2022 Outlook:

Pitchers

Marco Santa will return for his second season after an MSC All-Conference performance last year. Returners Alexis Rodriguez, Trey Boren, David Baer, and Weber Denman will all play key roles on the pitching staff. Newcomers Wyatt McKee, Ryan White, Tyler Proctor, and Noah Willingham will all look to make an impact on this year's staff.

Catchers

Plenty of fresh faces will be in play behind the plate this year for the Bat Cats. Newcomers Ivan Vega, Wyatt McKee, and Zach Ogden will all look to contribute to the Bat Cats' success.

Infielders.

Jacob Foster will return for his final year after two years as an All-Conference player for the SSAC and the MSC. He will look to continue his success for the Cats. The Wildcats return some players with experience in Luis Aristud, Brandon Armour, Logan Beecham, Aidan Morris, and Hunter Hudson. Paden New will also look to make an impact after his redshirt season last year. Newcomers Jose Olmeda, Kendrick Osborne, Rivers Moffatt, and Joseph Huffsteadler will all look to contribute and make an impact on the Cats' efforts this year. 

Outfielders

The Cats return with some experience in the outfield in Noah Miller, Noah Hawkins, Aidan Morris, Hunter Brown, and Bryan Catala. They will each look to make an impact this year. Along with these returners, the Cats brought in newcomer J.T. Morgan, who will also look to contribute this year for the Cats. 

It all promises to be exciting action at Wildcat Park at the Kahlden Complex this spring.

For info on the roster and schedule visit, www.bethelathletics.com.