Wolves more experienced than ever in 2018

WESSON, Miss. – After a breakout 2017 season that saw 20 wins and the team's first playoff birth since 2005, the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolves look to return to the diamond in 2018 with the same intensity. Co-Lin's roster is chock full of sophomore talent that is eager to make another run in the MACJC.

"We were an aggressive team last year with 110 stolen bases," said Co-Lin head coach Clay Smith. "We want to get even more than that this year, if we can get our guys in scoring position it gives a chance to win the ballgame."

Inexperience will not be an issue for the Wolves this season, as 18 sophomores will suit up for Co-Lin. Jaylyn Williams, a sophomore from Greenville, Miss., returns after earning MACJC 1st Team All-State honors for his impressive season at the plate. Williams led the Wolves with a .384 batting average, eight homeruns, and 43 RBIs. He finished the year with a team high .531 on base percentage and a .644 slugging percentage.

Christian Day, a sophomore pitcher from Natchez, Miss. earned MACJC 2nd Team All-State after leading Co-Lin with a 5-4 record with 61.1 innings pitched last season. Day led the Wolves last season with 63 strikeouts on the year. Day gave up 67 hits on the year, and will return in 2018 as Co-Lin's ace.

Returning as a captain in 2018 is CJ Estave. Estave, a Franklinton, La. native, is a top catcher in the league and has a great arm. Look for Estave to bat in the heart of Co-Lin's lineup. In 2017, Estave posted a .414 slugging percentage, had four homeruns, and led the Wolves with 38 walks.

After missing nearly half the games last season due to injury, Hayden White returns to a middle infield role in 2018. White, a Madison-Ridgeland Academy graduate, drove in 14 runs and had 11 steals during his brief 2017 season. The sophomore is known as a leader on and off the field, and will be a team captain this season.

Co-Lin's bullpen will be deep this year as a host of sophomore arms will be available for the Wolves.

Josh Stephens, a lefty pitcher from Lawrence County High School, provides the Wolves the ability to get outs whenever they are needed. Stephens threw 19.1 innings last season and had 15 strikeouts.

Gabe Smith, a Cathedral High School graduate, looks to be a bullpen guy that can get Co-Lin out of jams. Smith, a team favorite due to charisma and outspoken personality, made five appearances as a freshman and posted eight strikeouts.

Anthony Clapp, a Seminary, Miss. native, is another workhorse pitcher that will be very strong for the Wolves out of the bullpen. Clapp threw 17 innings last season and racked up 22 strikeouts.

Jordan Bowden returns to the mound for the Wolves this season after greatly improving his command of the ball. Bowden threw 22.1 innings and struck out 17 batters in 2017.

 Zach James looks to be the Wolves' go-to guy out of the bullpen this season after earning MACJC 2nd Team All-State recognition. The Madison, Miss. native is extremely competitive and wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. James threw 49.1 innings and had 39 strikeouts during his freshman campaign.

Kyle Whittington will be back on the mound for the Wolves this season after spending the bulk of 2017 in an infield role due to several injuries. Whittington threw 12 innings last season in eight appearances and struck out 11 on the year. The George County High School graduate has a great breaking ball that he hopes to use to his advantage this season.

Blake Sigrest, another MACJC 2nd Team All-State honoree as a freshman, returns to the hill for the Wolves this season. Sigrest is a strong competitor and strike thrower. Sigrest threw 36.2 innings in 16 appearances as a freshman and struck out 26 batters.

Tyler Etheridge returns for his sophomore season and will be a duel player for the Wolves. Expect to see the Jewel Sumner High School graduate on the mound in relief or in an outfield role. Etheridge struck out nine batters through 12.1 innings as a freshman.

Justin Hutton and Zach Pope both transferred to Co-Lin from Holmes and Northwest Community College respectively. Hutton is a big arm out of the bullpen while Hutton will fill an outfield role and see time as a designated hitter.

Despite the abundance of sophomore leadership on the mound head coach Clay Smith said it is not what is special about this club.

"We have a very close team…our team chemistry is great," said Smith. "Team chemistry automatically provides the team with good leadership and camaraderie as opposed to blaming or finger pointing when something doesn't go right."

New to the pitching staff in 2018 is Parker Lee of Clinton High School, Zach Smith of Oak Grove High School, Austin Tidwell of West Ouachita High School, Conner Ingram of Oak Grove High School, Alex Mooney of Wesson Attendance Center, and Dawson Dabbs of Clinton High School.

In the field, the Wolves lost MACJC 2nd Team All-State recipient JT Wright. Wright drove in 28 runs on the year and had a .371 on base percentage, but several sophomores return to help lead the Wolves in 2018.

Blake Estabrook returns to Co-Lin's roster to fill an outfield role. Estabrook, a Terry, Miss. native is the ultimate team player and stole seven bags as a freshman.

Chandler Dillard, an athletic player that shows great leadership, is back for the Wolves in 2018. The Germantown High School graduate has tremendous speed and will be vital for the Wolves' aggressiveness on the base paths.

Expect to see Austin O'Flynn in an infield role in 2018. O'Flynn, an Oak Grove High School graduate, drove in 19 runs and had an on base percentage of .417 as a freshman. He is as steady as they come in the field and the batter's box.

Tyler Vroman is also returning for the 2018 season. Vroman will see time as a designated hitter and a pinch hitter.

Freshman joining the Wolves include Craig Bradley of Cathedral High School, Thomas Slagle of Franklin County High School, Will Clark of Clinton High School, Madison Smith of Brookhaven Academy, Ryan Zimmerman of Fountainebleau High School, and Mark Hubbard of Simpson Academy.

At the next level, former Wolf Austin Douglas will suit up for the Belhaven Blazers for his senior season, Jordan Antley and Jeremy Moore will play for the UT-Tyler Patriots as seniors, and JT Wright prepares for his junior season with William Carey University.

Fifth year head coach Clay Smith has high hopes for his 2018 squad.

"Our goals never really change," said the former Southern Miss and Belhaven assistant. "And that is to win 30 or more games make a trip to the MACJC playoffs, get to a regional, and make a trip to the NJCAA World Series."

Smith will have Bryan Nobile as an assistant in 2018. This season is Nobile's 14th season with the Wolves. Nobile, Co-Lin's Athletic Director, was a standout pitcher at Mississippi Delta Community College and Delta State University. Jack Edmonson returns for his second year as assistant coach after helping lead the Wolves to the playoffs just a year ago. Edmonson, a Louisville, Miss. native, is a former Mississippi Valley player and has coaching experience from around the state.

With a team that is solid in all aspects of the game, and 18 sophomores on the roster that have the taste of success after a playoff trip last season, the Wolves look promising this year. Expect Sullivan Field to be electric as Co-Lin utilizes a deep bullpen, powerful hitting, and an extremely aggressive play style that looks to light up the score board in 2018.