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Erin Nelson Photo by Erin Nelson
Hewitt-Trussville’s Carson Wideman (25) makes a throw to first base in an attempt to record an out in an area game against Spain Park at Phil English Field in Trussville on Friday, April 14, 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Erin Nelson Photo by Erin Nelson
Hewitt-Trussville’s Ryan Davis (27) pitches in an area game against Spain Park at Phil English Field in Trussville on Friday, April 14, 2023. Photo by Erin Nelson.
It might be fitting for the Hewitt-Trussville High School baseball team that 2024 is a leap year.
The Huskies might be ready to take a leap.
The Huskies trotted out sophomore after sophomore last season, and those players return this season as experienced juniors. There is only one sophomore on the varsity roster this season.
“It’s just unusual for us. Usually we have some young guys, but this year I feel like we're a lot older than we've been in the past,” said Hewitt-Trussville head coach Jeff Mauldin. “Our hope is that they play like they're older, they play like juniors and seniors. You really don't know that until you get out there and play someone in a different color uniform. There have been a lot of positives in our practices and obviously some negatives and just trying to work through those and get better. We feel good about our group. I guess it's the unknown. You don't know how they're going to perform until they're playing someone else.”
Hewitt-Trussville finished 21-11 last season, ultimately falling 2-0 to Chelsea in a one-game tiebreaker game between the two teams that tied for second in Class 7A, Area 6. Chelsea moved on to the 7A playoffs.
From that team, much production returns with experience and confidence. Senior Brett Moseley, an Ole Miss signee, returns as a third-year starter in center field. He’ll likely bat in the two-hole.
“He’s a veteran player that has had a good career here,” Mauldin said. “We’d love to see him obviously continue that and get ready for the next level.”
Senior Carson Wideman, a Montevallo signee, moves to third base from shortstop for the 2024 season.
“He’s just a steady, solid player,” Mauldin said. “Carson kind of brings that steady, professional approach.”
Last year’s third baseman, Rob Wright, moves to second base for his senior season. Dylan Lewkutz should play a large role on the varsity squad this season after spending much of his junior season on the junior varsity team. He’ll see time on the mound and compete for time in the lineup. Carson Zeitvogel, a senior, will see time behind the plate backing up junior catcher Drew Ollis.
“That’s one good thing about our team right now,” Mauldin said. “There are some spots that you feel really good about. There’s a lot of other competition that’s going on, and I think that competition is going to continue for weeks.”
Steele Hall, a sophomore committed to Tennessee, will be the shortstop.
“He’s got a chance to be a really special player,” Mauldin said. “I think he’s dynamic. He’ll hit probably leadoff for us.”
The pitching staff comes into this season with much experience gained in 2023. Mauldin estimated that 20 of the first 21 games were started last season by sophomores.
“You just hope that there’s progression from sophomore to junior year,” he said. “There’s experience, there’s comfort. And they get better, whether it’s mentally or physically.”
Junior Christian Helmers, a UAB commit, was one of the top arms on the staff a season ago.
“He’s got a chance to be special,” Mauldin said. “He’s a big kid, live arm, hard breaking ball, good changeup.”
Another junior pitcher is Jacob Francis, who missed the entire 2023 season due to injury. Francis pitched his way to a successful freshman season in 2022.
“He pitched monster innings for us as a freshman,” Mauldin said. “He beat Hoover in the playoffs. He threw five scoreless innings in Game 3 of the state championship against Central-Phenix City.”
Junior pitchers Cooper Huffman and Colby Durden should also see significant mound time this season for the Huskies. Durden will be the starting right fielder. Senior Ryan Davis was one of the top pitchers on staff last year and returns with a lot of experience. Trey Tyldesley, a senior, should see time as a relief pitcher.
“I would say seven to eight guys are competing for time,” Mauldin said. “You just don’t know how the game is going to go and how people are going to react when it gets real. We really like our team.”
The 2024 season begins with a doubleheader at Phil English Field against Gadsden City on Saturday, Feb. 17. Class 7A, Area 6 games against Chelsea, Spain Park, and Oak Mountain – three away, three at home each – will be played in April.
“Seeing that growth and getting better, playing as a team, I think that is every coach’s battle right now,” Mauldin said. “If we play as a team, and if you put the team first and yourself aside, everybody will be successful. So, we’re still trying to put the pieces together and grow. I think that if we play to our potential, I think we’re going to be really good.”
