Though the dirt was a little muddy and the grass a little wet at Bearcat Stadium on March 9, the W.F. West baseball team was more than happy to be outside with the sun shining down on the cusp of the Bearcats — and every other high school teams’ in the state — first normal season since 2019.
While it was nice to have a shortened regular season and districts last year during the pandemic, it’s even nicer to have a full preseason, season and postseason tournament on the slate this year, Bearcat manager Bryan Bullock said.
W.F. West had just five day to practice last season before games started, so there were a lot of little details that were missed in preparation for the season. This time, they had two weeks to prepare for a season they hope ends up with a deep run in the playoffs.
The Bearcats are primed to do so, especially after coming off a thrilling victory over 2A Evergreen Conference rival Tumwater to capture the 2A District 4 championship in May 2021.
“It’s an expectation in this program, that we want to get right back into the same spot no matter what group of kids are here,” Bullock said. “They know the expectation that was laid before them. So this next group of kids, they’re gonna take it upon themselves. That will be our goal; to get right back in that same spot.”
The Bearcats lose a large and immensely-talented senior class from last year’s team that went 12-1 overall, with its lone loss, 4-0, coming at the hands of Tumwater — its first loss in EvCo play since 2017.
Gone is reigning all-area MVP and catcher Drew Reynolds, who is now playing for Texas Tech, staff ace Tanner Vaughn (0.71 ERA) and six other starters.
Back are three returning starters in junior pitcher/first baseman Gavin Fugate, who is healed up after injuring his collarbone during football season. Senior infielder Brock Bunker is also back, along with senior outfielder/pitcher Logan Moore.
But, like always, the Bearcats have a host of talented newcomers ready to come in and step up. One of the biggest additions is junior Hunter Lutman, who will be an instant addition on the mound.
“He’s going to hopefully step up and eat up a bunch of innings for us,” Bullock said of Lutman.
Another newcomer who expects to make an impact is junior Jeron Martin, who will take over catching duties and who Bullock said excels on the defensive side and throwing out baserunners.
Junior Evan Stajduhar will slide in at third base and the outfield spots are all still open to competition, Bullock said. With Moore and Bunker being the only seniors, Bullock expects big things from a team with loaded underclassmen.
W.F. West has a huge junior class — nine in total — along with two sophomores and four freshmen on varsity. Forty kids in total turned out this year.
“Some of these kids are getting an opportunity for the first time, and I think they’ll be ready by the time we get into the season,” Bullock said.
W.F. West kicked off its season with a road doubleheader at Selah, which is the defending 2A state champion — with the state tournament not being held in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
The Bearcats split the twinbill with the Vikings, losing 5-3 in the opener before bouncing back with an 8-2 win in the nightcap. It was a promising start to what the Bearcats hope is a long and successful season.
“It’s really good to be out here and playing after all the stuff we’ve endured,” Bullock said. “But more than anything, I think it’s gonna be a fun challenge for this group, because I think they’ll be overlooked after (graduating) that big senior class.
“On paper, we don’t necessarily have the things we’ve had in previous years. But I like the grit of this team, so far, and I’m hoping it’s going to showcase itself and this team is going to be up for the challenge.”
