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SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020 THREE RIVERS EDITION/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE DIAMOND ROUNDUP
11SS
HARDING ACADEMY WILDCATS
Wildcats leaning on underclassmen
RIVERVIEW BASEBALL
APRIL 2 .................................... @PINE BLUFF APRIL 3 ......................... HARDING ACADEMY* APRIL 7 .......................................CAVE CITY* APRIL 9 ................................ @FORREST CITY APRIL 13 ....................................... CONCORD APRIL 14 ...................................BALD KNOB* APRIL 16 ............................... @TUCKERMAN* APRIL 20 ........................................ MIDLAND APRIL 21 ..................@PALESTINE-WHEATLEY* APRIL 23 ..................................... @CARLISLE
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
RIVERVIEW SOFTBALL
APRIL 3 ......................... HARDING ACADEMY* APRIL 6 .........CENTRAL ARKANSAS CHRISTIAN APRIL 7 ....................................... CAVE CITY* APRIL 9 ................................ @FORREST CITY APRIL 14 ...................................BALD KNOB* APRIL 16 ............................... @TUCKERMAN* APRIL 20 ........................................ MIDLAND APRIL 21 ..................@PALESTINE-WHEATLEY* APRIL 23 ..................................... @CARLISLE
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
BY SAM PIERCE
STAFF WRITER
Last season, for the first time since 2012, the Harding Academy Wildcats did not win conference and district titles or advance to the state tournament.
Harding Academy finished the season 19-8 with a 3A-2 Conference record of 6-2.
“Though the 2020 Wildcats begin without a good senior class from 2019, the Wildcats have high expectations for the season,” head coach Shane Fullerton said. “We may have the most talented group of underclassmen in the program’s history.”
Returning this year are utility man Eli Henley, an all-conference performer in 2019, and two-time all-conference outfielder and state championship starter T.J. Hester. Also returning are Harding University commit and pitcher Davis Welch and first baseman Conner Cason.
Fullerton said the Wildcats have a strong
Conference: 3A-2
Coach: Shane Fullerton
Assistant coaches: Alex Smith, Dave Karaff and Reid Maddox 2019 record: 19-8
Returning starters: Seniors Eli Henley, T.J. Hester, Davis Welch and Conner Cason
sophomore class that is led by Gavin Alveti, who is ranked as the No. 1 Arkansas catcher in the 2022 class, the coach said. “He played pivotal roles on last year’s team,” Fullerton said.
The Wildcats will also depend on the sophomores to step up to play integral roles this year, the coach said. Outfielders Chris Anderson, Mathis Foster, Ryan McGaha and Benny Scott Tallie; and infielders Eli Wallis and Cooper Welch are all vying to make an impact this season.
Fullerton said the freshman class is led by highly touted players Levin Lang, Kade Smith
HARDING ACADEMY BASEBALL
APRIL 2 ........................... GREENWOOD @UCA APRIL 3 ................................... @RIVERVIEW* APRIL 7 .....................................BALD KNOB* APRIL 9 ................................. @TUCKERMAN* APRIL 10 ............................................ BEEBE APRIL 14 ................................ CEDAR RIDGE* APRIL 16 ..................@PALESTINE-WHEATLEY* APRIL 17 ................................. KENNETT, MO. APRIL 21 ................................... @NEWPORT* APRIL 23 ............................................ CABOT APRIL 24 .......................... @LR BAPTIST PREP
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
and Jadyn Wilhite, all of whom should have immediate impact.
“Freshmen Daniel Henley, Landon Koch, Levi Mercer, Cade Pryor, Colton Smith and
HARDING BASEBALL continued on 12SS