Gilmer High returns plenty of experienced baseball players but so does most of the region.
The Bobcats are set to open their 2024 season this week, and eight players are back who either started or lettered last year. That is a welcome sign for head coach Jeff Thurman, as Region 7 is one of the best in Class 3A.
“It’s been nice this year having some of these guys who were sophomores last year or juniors who are now a year older, and that makes a world of difference,” Thurman said. “We had one new player move in, and he’ll be a good addition. We have a lot of returning guys with experience, and we’re excited to see what that can do for us.”
There are 11 upperclassmen on the varsity roster, which includes returning seniors Austin Zabala, Ethan McCollum and Brandon Davis. Senior Dalton Crisp arrives in Ellijay and previously played at Forsyth Central. Thurman expects him to add depth at first base and to the pitching staff.
Through the early season, arm maintenance and care has continued to be emphasized. It served GHS well last year as the team dealt with little elbow or shoulder issues outside of seasonal wear and tear.
“Anytime we can minimize injuries in today’s day and age, it’s a good thing,” said Thurman. “It seems like the Tommy John (surgery) stuff and rotator cuff injuries that baseball players sometimes experience have worked their way down to high school. This year, we’ve been able to stay healthy and have continued our arm care program.”
Another aspect that has trickled down from higher levels is communication. For the first time, the GHSA has permitted digital communication between the catcher and dugout. Rather than using hand signals, pitch type and location, as well as defensive alignments will be relayed to the catcher’s smart watch.
“Either through a phone or iPad, we’ll be able to send communications to the catcher,” Thurman said. “We’re going to give it a trial run today (last Thursday). I’m interested to see where that’s going to go at the high school level.”
GHS returns starting center fielder Zabala and left fielder McCollum, who both pitch, as well as junior shortstop Eli Cooper. The trio received an all-region honorable mention last year.
Zabala led Gilmer with a .313 batting average and .785 OPS. McCollum posted a 4.23 ERA, won three games and struck out 57. Cooper hit .274 and drove in 14 runs to go with four doubles and a triple.
Joining McCollum and Zabala in the outfield is returning junior starter Noah Gutillo.
Junior Hayden Berry is back at catcher, and both Davis and Crisp will see time at first base. Returning to play second base is junior Haden West. Taking the field at third will be either Mel Mosley or Blake Grizzle, who are both sophomores.
In addition to Zabala and McCollum, Berry, West and Crisp will be the ones shouldering most of the innings on the mound. Thurman expects Cooper, junior C.J. Hatchett and sophomores Landen McClure and Cooper Cochran to provide pitching depth.
Thurman noted that freshman Zander Shute will back up Berry behind the plate, and junior Deacon Shull will be in the mix at second base. Hatchett, junior Will Capstick and freshman Peyton Chancey are reserve outfielders.
“I like this group’s energy so far at practice,” said Thurman. “Last year, it was a rough go once we got to region play. We’ve been right around .500 with our nonregion schedule the past few years. Once we’ve hit the regions schedule, it’s been pretty tough. We’re eager to try to change that, and our players have responded. They have a lot of energy on the practice field, and I feel like we’re further ahead this year than we were last year.
“I’m just really proud of how the kids have responded to some of the extra demands and expectations we’ve laid on them for this upcoming season.”
Gilmer won just one of 18 region games last season. Reigning region champion Pickens boasts one of the top pitching staffs and returns three hurlers who have been named to the Class 3A preseason all-state squad. Wesleyan, Lumpkin County, Dawson County and White County will also be standing in the Bobcats’ way when to comes to reaching the postseason.
“This is going to be one of those years where almost every team is bringing a lot of players back. Pickens, Dawson and Lumpkin are bringing back the nucleus of their teams. We’re looking forward to that challenge, and we’re bringing back a lot of guys, too,” Thurman said.
“We want to be more consistent for entire games once we get into the region series. We felt like we were in a lot of games last year until the middle innings, and then we would kind of let games get out of our reach in the late innings. Maybe some of that was due to lack of pitching depth or relying on so many young kids. All that has improved for us this year. We can’t have those lulls, and we have to keep our mental focus. We think we’re going to be able to do that this year.”
GHS faced Fannin County at press deadline to begin the season. The Bobcats host Murray County Thursday at 5:30 p.m.