Gilmer High baseball is back on the diamond after only playing 13 games a season ago. The Bobcats posted a 3-10 record and return three varsity starters in 2021.
Not only was Gilmer’s season cut short last year, but the COVID-19 pandemic also interfered with the Bobcats’ seasonal preparations. In previous summers, GHS held scrimmages, practices and attended overnight camps throughout June as part of its offseason schedule.
“Once our season got cut off last year, we were able to come back out and do some stuff in the summer,” head coach Jeff Thurman said. “We tried to have some practices and do a little bit of summer ball. We did about a week of that and then I started to get real nervous. (COVID-19) cases started to spike again, and at that point, I decided to call it off.”
During their brief time together, Thurman was without his normal allotment of players. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and to minimize interactions, fall sports were given exclusive priority over athletes.
GHS players hit the field for voluntary preseason workouts beginning in November, and official practices started Jan. 18.
“We pretty much used 2 1/2 months to get in shape,” Thurman said. “I thought we were ahead of schedule, especially with our pitchers. I still think we’re overall ahead of schedule. I’m excited to see what these guys are going to be able to do.”
This year’s roster is made up of three seniors with around eight to 10 players in each of the preceding grades. The team is young and low on varsity experience.
“Only two of the three seniors have any experience returning. We had a kid come out as a senior. We’re really glad he’s out, but he hasn’t played any baseball in high school,” Thurman said.
GHS lost five starters off last year’s pitching staff and varsity innings are scarce for those returning. Pitching was a priority in the months leading up to the season.
“Our big focus with pitchers this year has been arm care. We’ve had some injuries to arms over the past few years, so I changed some things up with how we do our throwing program,” Thurman said. “I took some things out and added some things and really just tried to focus on arm care and maintenance.
“With us not having summer ball and our kids not really going off to play in other places, the bulk of their throwing is done here. We’ve got to get them ready. We’ve also focused on their mechanics and confidence, because we are going to have a young and inexperienced staff.”
Two returning senior starters are first baseman Jess Buckner and catcher Gabe Wolfson. Buckner is coming off surgery and moves to first after previously playing shortstop. Wolfson is expected to see some time at short as well.
Junior Branson Teague returns to play second base, and sophomore Carter Jones will take the field at short. Thurman noted several players could play shortstop depending on who is pitching.
Junior Spencer Merritt will play third base and started their some last season. Sophomore Brock Titus will be behind the plate when Wolfson is in the infield.
Across the outfield from left will be juniors Kobe Stonecipher and Seth Darling and Titus. Thurman noted Jones can play in the outfield as well.
Gilmer’s pitchers will be Darling, junior Grant Cochran, freshman Ethan McCollum, as well as junior Billy Goswick, sophomore Jojo Crump, Wolfson and Jones. Buckner could possibly return to the mound by mid to late March.
Thurman discussed his expectations for the team, saying, “I’m going to try and keep things in perspective and constantly remind them that last year’s team had their season cut off halfway through. It seemed like right when the weather started to get nice, the season got shut down. We want to be able to get the season in, keep as many of these guys healthy as we can and out of quarantine. We’ve already had four quarantined, and that type of stuff makes it hard.
“I also want to see us get better every single day because we are young. If we do that, by mid-March, we can hopefully be ready to upset and surprise some teams.”
GHS enters a new region this season. Once region play begins, teams will square off in a weekly three-game series. GHS will need to finish in the top four of the region standings to advance to state.
“It’s going to be fun to go to some new places and see what some of these teams have,” Thurman said.
“North Hall is going to be very good. Over the past few years, they’ve been contenders in the state in this same region. They’ll be solid in everything they do. Cherokee Bluff won’t be too far behind them. With Dawson and White county, both of these teams should be pretty good.”
Season begins
GHS began its season last week against Murray County.
Gilmer traveled to face the Indians Wednesday and lost, 2-1. GHS got revenge three days later with a 7-0 victory.
The Bobcats were limited to two hits in the loss and its lone run was scored in the seventh and unearned.
In Saturday’s win, GHS benefited from MCHS control issues and drew 10 walks. Buckner led Gilmer offensively with two hits and three RBIs. Wolfson, Jones, Merritt and Colton Nunn each knocked in a run.
Darling got the win and allowed a hit in four innings while striking out seven and walking two. McCollum tossed two innings, struck out one and allowed a hit. Wolfson struck out two and walked two in an inning of work.