Though the original quote was, “Let's do two today!" credited to Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame baseball player Ernie Banks, the number two seems to have a strange connection to this year’s version of the Independence High School Baseball program. The connection begins with Coach Edwards settling into his second season as head coach of the Diamond Wildcats knowing that his son Luke will soon be joined by twin sibblings and this season sees the exit of two of the districts perennial title contenders
Meanwhile Coach Edwards is left to ponder a changing family life with a partner who in his words,” has put up with me as a husband for 10 years without missing a game in the eight years I’ve been coaching”, while dealing with a changing district landscape that sees the exit of Senatobia and Water Valley to larger classifications.
Through all of the uncertainty and change Coach Edwards seems to have clear view of the situation stating, “Even with all the factors we cannot change, we are still a much better ball club than we were at this point last season despite the youthfulness of our roster.” Independence finished the year with a 12-15 overall record and a 6-5 record in 3A region 2.
Pitching might have something to do with that statement as the Wildcats have last year’s ace, Jayden Watkins returning along with bullpen mates; Landon Lindsey, Hayes Freeman, Dallas Stepp, and Scott McFarlin. Watkins pitched 56 innings for the Cats posting a 2.01 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 13 walks.
Pitching isn’t the only area of experience for the Cats, who return catcher Bryson Davis, infielders Landon Lindsey, Dallas Stepp, outfielder Niles Blackmon and the versatile Scott McFarlin who literaly played evert position on the field for Independence in 2021. Joining these seasoned veterans are senior pitcher and first baseman Brigham Pearce and infielder Miller Owens who are expected to successfully return from injuries that shortened their 2021 seasons.
At the plate, the Wildcat offense was led by Jayden Watkins with a .411 batting average on 30 hits that yielded 33 runs for IHS. Bryson Davis recorded a .306 batting average with 12 runs on 19hits, ad Niles Blackmon had 8 hits in 21 games that produced 13 runs and a .286 batting average. Dallas Stepp saw action in 25 games posting a .290 batting average with 18 hits that produced 15 runs.
Coach Edwards is joined in coaching the Wildcats by second year assistant Adam Dixon, Devon Dickey, and former Independence stand-out Jordan Watkins.
The Cats make their first home appearance of 2022 this Thursday, February 10 when they join with their softball counterparts for the first ever spring edition of Meet the Wildcats beginning at 5:30 pm followed by an intersquad scrimmage put on by the baseball and softball teams respectively. Following that the Wildcats will take on the Vardaman Rams in a Classic game on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
