Knights prepare for 2021 slate
* Robbinsville baseball season preview
Out of all the sports affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Knights’ baseball team may be the one left with the biggest argument of “What if?”
Robbinsville sat at 3-1 when the virus canceled the remainder of the 2020 season. Head coach Brent Icenhower felt the Knights were just beginning to gel when the shutdown occurred.
“We were starting to really click and I feel like we were about to take off,” he said. “It hurt not getting to finish, and I feel bad for last year’s seniors.”
Even though Robbinsville will press forward without dwelling too much on what could have been, the 2021 campaign will not be without challenges.
“The biggest impact this year is the overlapping seasons and not getting to have all my players at once, but everything is going to be alright,” Icenhower said. “Also – because of the pandemic – we can only play 14 games this year. Normally, I would try and schedule at least 20 varsity games. I think the abbreviated season is one reason why there are not many JV teams in the conference this year as well, because of the 14-game limit that players can play in.
“With football and baseball seasons overlapping, I have 5-6 guys who are still playing football, so they are not getting to practice with the baseball team much right now. To some this may be bad, but this does not bother me at all. I really want the football team to win another state championship, and once I get these players I think they will catch on pretty quick.”
No shortage of talent can be found on the roster. Though the Knights lost three players to graduation, Robbinsville is loaded – both with starters and reserves.
“Right now, we have around 20-21 players, and I am hopeful to have a JV team this year, even though there are only a couple of teams in the conference,” Icenhower said. “This may also be the fastest team – as far as speed that Robbinsville High School – has ever had in baseball.”
Leading the charge will be seniors Ethan Beavers, Kayden Brock, Hunter Jones, Jeb Shuler and Rossi Wachacha, all of who received high praise from their coach.
“Jeb Shuler has been a starter for most of his high school career (and) is going to be my No. 1 pitcher in the rotation and also my main catcher,” Icenhower said. “He has really good stuff pitching wise, very good offensively and is very experienced on the baseball diamond. He has played lots of travel ball, and I am expecting huge things out of him this year. He has the potential to be the best pitcher/player in our conference this year.
“Kayden is another returning starter from last year who is mainly an outfielder, but will see some time on the mound also. Rossi missed last season due to an injury. Rossi is very talented in baseball. He is a strong kid who has a good bat offensively and is very good defensively as well; he is another guy who will see a lot of mound time. Jeb, Kayden and Rossi all throw in the 80s, so we are very fortunate to have that many guys who throw that hard on our baseball team.
“Hunter is great defensively. If a ball is hit at him, don’t be surprised to see him take it off the body to keep it in front. He is very knowledgeable of the game and also has a good bat offensively. Ethan Beavers has plenty of baseball skills, is great defensively and bunts very well.”
Beavers, Jones and Shuler will comprise the team captains and will be joined by juniors Kade Garrison, Kamdyn Jordan, Brandon McLucas, Cole Patterson, Carson White and Isaac Wiggins; sophomores Lathan Buchanan, Alex Knight and Caleb Turpin; and freshman Carter Burchfield, Bryce Garrison, Ethan Orr, Greylon Orr, Christian Phillips and Nathaniel Shope.
With the wealth of experience and talent that will figure into the lineup each day, Icenhower believes the sky is the limit for the Black Knights.
“Our goal this year is like always: compete and try to win every game that we can,” he said. “I really want to make the playoffs; it has been nearly 10 years since the baseball team made the playoffs. Honestly, I feel like we have the ability to win conference as well. I have some really good players and if we don’t make many mistakes, we are capable of beating any team in the conference.”