The winds of change are swirling at Trigg County as Tyler Magan takes over control of the Wildcat baseball program that has won five of the last six district championships.
Trigg County finished 19-12 last year, won a district title, and advanced to the semifinals of the region tournament. While he will be tasked with replacing seven seniors from last year – five of which are playing in college – the cupboard isn’t bare for his first season as Wildcat skipper.
His main task will be to replace three senior pitchers who combined for 15 of the team’s 19 wins and struck out 166 batters.
Juniors Arlon Butts (1-1, 4.27 ERA) and Haydon Cunningham saw the most time on the mound last year and will be joined this season by fellow juniors Keegan Slone and Colton Sumner.
“We will have a three-man rotation this year, but we have a lot of guys who will have to come in and give us 3-5 innings a week as relivers,” Magan said. “I think we have more guys who can throw this year, but they just don’t have the 3-4 years of varsity experience.”
Senior outfielder Riley Stallons was named all-district and all-region after hitting .373 with six home runs and 37 RBIs. Senior Trevor Cortner (.304, 33 runs) also returns in the outfield, and Andrew Syester joins the team from Fort Campbell.
The infield will have a new look as Butts (.250) and sophomore Andrew Williamson (.279) will play up the middle. Hayden Cunningham (.305, 21 RBIs) stepped into what had been an inconsistent position for the Wildcats over the previous three years and proved to have a solid glove and bat.
Jude Hunter (.273) takes over behind the plate, and Jacob Kent will play first base.
“It’s hard when you have six new starters with very little varsity experience, but I’ve coached these guys in JV the last two years, and they can play. They are going to have to step into those roles and play like I know they can,” Magan said.
Trigg’s pitchers had a 3.36 ERA last year, but the defense allowed 33 unearned runs to cross the plate. With a young staff, defense will be an early key to the Wildcats’ season.
Like the previous two coaches before him, Magan is hoping to step in and have early success as Wildcat head coach. If the pitching staff develops and gets good defense behind them, the trend should continue.
Trigg County will host Russellville Tuesday in the season opener at the Complex.
