Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack Discusses Big Team Turnaround That Led to Playoffs
On KSST Radio and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning (April 27) Coaches Show, Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack explained how his team went from rock bottom to a playoff spot winning their last five district games. Coach Hammack said he and his coaches did their best to stay positive during the hard times. He also credited the players and their attitude. Coach Hammack told the team no one could tell if they were 0-10 or 10-0 watching them practice because he said the players worked hard and stayed positive. Coach Hammack also shook things up. He moved catcher Kaden Argenbright to shortstop. Jace Burchfield moved to catcher and has done a good job of throwing out baserunners. Jase Thompson moved to left field and has made several sterling catches. Jaxon Chaney recovered from some early arm problems that kept him from pitching to return to the mound with solid performances. Coach Hammack also decided to place players in the hitting lineup based on on base percentages. That moved Austin Dodd to the fifth spot where he has flourished. His first game hitting fifth, Dodd went five for five. Coach Hammack said Dodd’s confidence level is soaring. He said the Wildcats may be the best number four team in the state. However they would appear to have their hands full with a familiar foe, Hallsville, the district 16-5A champion. The teams meet in a best two out of three bi-district playoff series at Mike Carter Field in Tyler. They play Wednesday at 7 p.m., Friday at 5:30 p.m. and if necessary Saturday at 1 p.m.
