THS baseball pushes for playoffs

In his third year at the helm of the program, Tharptown Head Coach Lucas Craft has worked to construct his roster so the Wildcats can return to the postseason – something the program hasn’t done since the 2014 season.

Being in a three-team area along with Mars Hill and Belgreen, the Wildcats only need to win one series against an area opponent to secure a playoff berth.

When area play rolls around, Craft said he will lean heavily on sophomore Christopher Fretwell, who tossed a perfect game against Phillips High School early in the season, and junior Hayden Parker to man the first two games of an area series.

“We’re expecting a lot out of him (Fretwell) this year,” Craft said. “He’s up there as one of the hardest working kids on the team and Hayden is going to go out there and get his money’s worth.”

Melvin Guitierrez will be called upon to provide some meaningful innings for Tharptown as well this season.

While he’s dominant in his own right on the mound, Craft said Fretwell will play a large role on offense for the Wildcats as well.

Junior centerfielder Randy Hollimon got significant playing time toward the end of last season, Craft said. The Wildcats will rely on him this year in both in the field and at the plate.

“He’s a guy who really came on early this year and worked really hard to get where he is,” Craft said. “He just goes out there and competes day in and day out and that’s what we need on this roster.”

Making the playoffs is obviously high on Craft’s list of goals for the Wildcats. Looking at the bigger picture, however, he wants to create a much larger impact – something he hopes will last beyond this season “You have to change the culture out here,” Craft said. “You need to get the kids to buy into what we’re trying to do here. That’s a big thing and I think we’re making progress toward that.”