MORGANTOWN — With seven starters gone from last season’s Class AAA state semifinal appearance, the University High School baseball team could be facing a rebuild.
However, third-year coach Brad Comport begs to differ with that statement.
In fact, the Hawks (24-13 in 2023), are looking to reload and make another deep playoff run in 2024.
“We had a great senior-led team last year,” Comport said. “We lost a lot of production offensively and on the mound. But we have some young guys that got some time last year and that are ready to take the next step and some new guys that we are going to throw right into the mix.”
Fortunately for UHS, they do return senior outfielders Wenkai Campbell and Brodee Latocha. Campbell has been on varsity for four years and Latocha has been a starter for three years for the Hawks.
“I bring leadership,” Campbell, who hit .374 last season with 36 RBIs and 13 extra-base hits, said. “I try to bring the whole team together. I feel like I am trying to be the glue and when someone does something they’re not supposed to, I feel as a leader, I should be able to hold them accountable.”
Latocha, who is a quiet leader for UHS, will hit lead-off again this year after hitting .308 with a team-high 30 walks.
“For us, Brodee is a prototypical lead-off hitter,” Comport said. “He sees a lot of pitches and if you look at his walk rate, he gets on base consistently. He grinds out at-bats and has a really good eye for the zone.”
The last two seasons UHS has produced the OVAC 5A player of the year with Aaron Forbes (2022) and Noah Braham (2023) and Comport said there are players on the 2024 team who are talented enough to bring that honor back to UHS.
“We have been fortunate to have really talented guys and really hard workers here,” Comport said. “We realize guys like that don’t come around often.”
With just Campbell and Latocha back as starters, the rest of the lineup is going to be a mix of newcomers and returning players.
Three transfers should slot into the UHS lineup. Morgantown transfers Riley Anderson and Mason McDonald will start in right field and first base, respectively. Preston transfer Mason Chaney will likely start at third base and be near the top of the pitching rotation.
Campbell and Latocha will be expected to pitch in relief with James Bryner, Daniel Grabo and others expected to help a pitching staff that will be led by junior Logan Vance.
“Logan threw some big games for us last year and even some as a freshman,” Comport said. “We are aware of what he can do. Chaney looks like a really good pitcher as well. Coach (Donnie) Gilbert has done a really good job of managing and developing the pitching staff for us. We think we have eight or nine guys that can be effective.”
Sophomore Max Cash, who saw limited time last year, will take over the catching duties and lead the pitching staff.
“He got that exposure last year during our playoff run,” Comport said. “He has some really good tools behind the play, he is mature for his age, and he has the ability to lead back there.”
Grabo, a junior, will assume the starting shortstop role this year after appearing in seven games last season. Senior Brock McDonough has moved from the outfield to second base.
“Brock has done a really good job and has worked extremely hard,” Comport said. “(Grabo) is a fantastic shortstop and does a nice job of quarterbacking the infield.”
With just 15 players on the varsity roster, Comport said the entire roster will be counted on at times this year.
The Hawks also face a tough schedule with the normal contests against local powers Morgantown, Wheeling Park and Bridgeport mixed in with a trip to Hurricane for a tournament, a doubleheader at perennial powerhouse Jefferson and a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC for a tournament.
“We want to play the best teams,” Comport said. “We aren’t as concerned about our record, especially early on. Playing good competition last year really benefited us.”
University opens its season on Wednesday when it hosts Wheeling Park at 5 p.m. The game will be played at Dale Miller field as UHS waits for the finish of the artificial turf installation at Shilling Field.
By ERIC HERTER
TWEET @DomPostSports
