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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Steele Hall (19) dives back to first base as Hoover’s Will Adams (8) catches a pick-off throw in game three of a first-round Class 7A playoff series at Phil English Field on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville's Steele Hall (19) in game three of the series during round one of the Class 7A playoffs at Phil English Field on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
The margins are slim in Class 7A baseball, but Hewitt-Trussville High School will try its hand once again at putting together a strong spring.
The Huskies went 27-9 last season, falling to Hoover in a first-round playoff series that went the distance. Had they won that series, they could have easily made a run to the state championship.
That will be the case once again in 2025. The Huskies have one of the most talented rosters in the area and the state.
“It’s going to come down to who can execute in those area games and who doesn’t make the mistake when it matters,” Hewitt-Trussville head coach Jeff Mauldin said.
While Mauldin has long been an outspoken advocate of expanding the 7A playoffs beyond the current 16-team model, he views the Huskies’ postseason as beginning in early April during the regular season’s Area 6 games. Hewitt will have to be one of the top two teams in an area that includes Hoover, Vestavia Hills and Oak Mountain in order to make the playoffs.
“It’s the best of the best,” he said.
Hewitt-Trussville will be one of the most experienced teams in the area this year, likely playing as many as seven or eight seniors simultaneously.
Major League scouts have been a common sight at preseason practices, as shortstop and Tennessee signee Steele Hall enters his senior season as one of the most highly touted players in the country.
Drew Ollis, a Shelton State signee, is back as the team’s primary catcher. Cam Simpson returns at second base, Christian Helmers (UAB) is back at third, and Cooper Huffman and Cale McIntosh are the favorites to hold down first base or designated hitter.
In the outfield, Colby Durden will move from right field to center. Jonah Jackson, a Gadsden State signee, is likely to take over in left field. The right field spot is still open, with Mauldin mentioning Jacob Francis (UAB), Jonathan Hoffman, Taylor Alfano and Lane Bilodeau as options.
Koal Duckett and Blake Bales are also in the mix at third base when Helmers is pitching.
The Huskies’ pitching staff should be solid as always. Helmers returns as one of the team’s top arms. Francis has battled injury the last two years but has great potential from the left side. Freshman Hudson Mitchell will be thrust into action as well. Huffman led the Huskies in wins last year, while Durden, McIntosh and Duckett will also be part of the rotation.
