Monday, May 6, 2024
The unseasonably warm weather in the Heart of Texas area this week could be attributed to a number of things. It could be climate change. Or El Nino.
It’s likely coming from just how fired up Chase Smith is feeling for his 2024 Hornet baseball squad, another deep playoff run, and his program as a whole.
Gatesville returns ten players from last season’s upstart squad that advanced to the regional quarterfinals for just the third time in program history and a repeat run in the postseason is in their plans again.
In round one of last year’s playoffs, the Hornets took down 24-4A champion Marble Falls before dusting Giddings in a two-game sweep in the area round. In the regional quarters, they fell 6-3 to eventual state champion and district foe China Spring.
According to Smith, the carry-over from 2023 has been evident from the start of practice.
“We have a lot of confidence and a lot of that stems from playing good teams and competing really well against them,” Smith said. “I think everybody believes we are capable and that we are a really good team.”
Flamethrower Bralen Veazey, senior catcher Lawson Mooney, and sophomore slugger Bradey James headline a roster loaded with experience and young talent.
Veazey, a Temple College signee, struck out 125 batters in 2023 and set a new program single-season record en route to an 8-1 record. Mooney hit .303 and stole 27 bases to set his own single-season program record and James hit .311 in his freshman season to tie John Ibarra for the team lead.
Ibarra, a junior, will take over the shortstop position full time with James at third base. Justin Johnson started the season at second base but was also Gatesville’s every day left fielder in 2023. Senior Cayden Brister and sophomores Gehrig Keeton and Clark Allman have seen time at second base in scrimmages.
Senior Clayton Gregory will play first when not on the pitcher’s mound, and the outfield will be manned by Johnson, senior Sean Aguilar, and sophomores Miles Tull and Jastin Muegge.
Tull, Muegge, James, Allman, and Keeton are part of a stellar sophomore class that also includes Colt Heath, Charlie Winkler, and Amos Phillips. All could see time on the field for the varsity – particularly during the non-district and tournament seasons.
“They are just a super competitive bunch and just bring that edge and energy every game,” Smith said.
In a season-opening 9-2 thumping of rival Lampasas in the season opener, Muegge led the team with two hits, while James had an RBI single. Johnson, Aguilar, Gregory, Ibarra, and Mooney all had hits as well in the win.
“We put pressure on them on the bases and played some small ball,” Smith said. “Overall, we had really good at-bats and were able to move runners and score guys when we got them into scoring position.”
The offensive support was more than enough for Veazey who struck out the first eight batters of the game and fanned 14 of the 23 hitters he faced. Lampasas managed three hits but just one hard hit ball all night. Their first two hits could be referred to as a jam shot and a bloop double, but a more blunt description for both would be accidents.
“Veazey was just Veazey. He was blowing it past them the first time through the lineup then he started throwing his breaking stuff early in the count and they had a hard time with that. It was a good first start for him,” said Smith.
The Hornets will travel to Palestine for their first tournament of the season where they will play Mexia, Jacksonville, Fairfield and Tyler on Feb. 23-24.
“It’s stepping into a little of the unknown with those teams we have never really played before. I think if we play well, we have a chance to win every game we plan,” Smith said. “So it will be fun getting to go play a bunch of teams we have never played.”
The rest of the non-district schedule will feature tournament play in Stephenville and Franklin as well as a slate of games meant to prepare the Hornets for another district dogfight.
Gatesville will face three top 20 teams in 4A in non-district (No. 4 Taylor, No. 10 Stephenville, and No. 20 Brownwood) as well as Godley – a top 30 team according to the Diamond Pro/TSHB preseason rankings. They will also face 3A No. 12 Franklin, 3A No. 17 West, and Lorena in non-district play.
The district schedule will feature 4A No. 1 China Spring, Region III No. 8 Salado, Robinson, Connally, and La Vega.
Though a challenging slate of games awaits, Smith is nothing but optimistic and enthusiastic about his team’s current state and their trajectory moving forward.
“Our guys are buying into playing great defense and pitching, being good on the bases, and situational hitting. That’s a recipe for success, and they are seeing that it works. When we do those things I like what we are capable of.”
