MORRISTOWN, TN -- Life was going pretty well for the Walters State baseball team in mid-March of 2020.
The Senators were 20-7, on a seven-game winning streak and had just taken down the Milligan JV team 19-0. Then, in the blink of an eye, the season was gone.
Now, head coach Dave Shelton and his staff must recreate that magic, something they have done countless times over the years.
"This fall was different," Shelton said. "We're all having to make adjustments. I've been here since 2003 and at that point, you feel like you really have a set schedule for everything in the fall and spring. It almost runs like a well-oiled machine. But with this COVID, it kind of threw a grenade in the middle of that machine and blew it up. We've just had to start from scratch.
"But we've been fortunate. We've been able to get a lot of work in and I see our guys keep getting better and better. I feel good about our squad, and I am excited to get this upcoming season in."
Last week, the Senators were ranked No. 8 in the NJCAA preseason poll. It's the 17th consecutive season the Senators have been ranked in the top 10 at some point.
Due to travel and COVID restrictions this year, the schedule looks a bit different than in years past. Instead of travelling to Florida, South Carolina and other warm weather states, the Senators will stay in Tennessee for January and February this year.
Walters State will start the year this weekend in Johnson City, taking on USC Salkehatchie for three games. After a game against the King JV team on Feb. 9, conference play begins with two games against Roane State. That will start a month that will consist of eight conference games.
The schedule ramps up in March with 16 conference games and seven non-conference games, taking on Georgia Highlands, USC Union, Cleveland Community College and the King JV squad.
The regular season concludes with 23 games in April. The season finishes up on April 24 with two games at Motlow State.
"We've got a good schedule," Shelton said. "We have a lot of limitations that the state of Tennessee put on us as far as travel, so there was another big change. It's been a challenge, but we're excited to go. My guys are like me and my assistants, they just want to get out there and compete. We're just excited to get to play and enjoy getting to do what we love."
Shelton will have an insanely talented roster per usual and will be helped out by the return of a few players who decided to take advantage of the extra year the NJCAA is offering.
Jerry Hammons and Silas Butler both will be back for their third year after starting the season off strong last year. Hammons hit .333 with five home runs and knocked in 14 runs in 27 games last season. Butler played in 22 games and hit .208 with a home run and 11 RBI.
"They are two key individuals who brink a lot of leadership and experience to the table," Shelton said. "Both of them were able to play in the World Series the year before last and got to experience that deep run into the post season, so they know what it takes. We're going to have some big expectations for them."
As for other returning players from last year, the Senators return a good nucleus of their lineup and pitching staff.
At the plate, Walters State returns Matthew Ellis, Caleb McNeely, Alberto Osuna and Paul Moore who all saw significant playing time last season. Ellis played in 22 games last year, hitting four home runs and knocking in 20 runs while McNeely was the team's leadoff hitter, batting .368 with six home runs and 34 RBI. McNeely was fifth in the NJCAA in RBI before the season was shut down.
No slouches themselves, Moore hit .385 last year while Osuna hit .297. Shelton said that Osuna has the most power of any kid he has coached.
Shelton also noted that Skyler Cannady has improved significantly in the fall and could provide a big spark for the Senators.
"Our lineup has got a chance to be really special offensively," Shelton said. "The talent that these kids have make us have the chance to have a really good lineup. We have a really good nucleus of returning players."
On the mound, Walters State returns Nolan Letzgus who went 2-1 last year with a 3.38 ERA as a starter. In the pen, Nathan Hickman returns after going 3-1 with a 0.83 ERA last year.
As for newcomers, Shelton sees a plethora of kids that will contribute immediately. Shelton noted that Cam Fisher, a transfer from Ole Miss, Andrew Ott and Logan Harbin will all step up offensively. On the mound, Shelton said that Hayden Summers, who has already signed to play at the University of Pittsburgh next year, is up to 95 MPH. Hudson Ross was another named mentioned that will be big for them on the mound.
"It's an extremely talented team, and they will be incredibly fun to coach," Shelton said.
While this off-season has been unlike any other and the regular season will probably follow suit, the goal remains the same for this team. Win a National Title.
"I'll never go into a season where our expectations aren't to win a National Championship," Shelton said. "That's going to be the goal every year no matter what. You can say that, but you and your team have to believe that and work towards it. This is one of our most talented teams, but we know there are other schools that are out there that are probably saying the same things.
"We've got to be prepared for anything when the season starts and just be ready to overcome adversity. But I am just excited to get this season going."
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics