Spring Sports Preview
By Sam McClanahan
Pendleton County Wildcats baseball coach Nate Jones now enters his second season guiding the program he once starred at. He along with his staff are looking to continue their plan in restoring a winning culture while accumulating wins in the process.
"We just want to keep everything going in the right direction," Jones says. "The groundwork was laid last year and the players along with the coaches are working hard to make sure we get positive results. We had a very good offseason and it's clear that everyone is eager to get the season underway," he added.
The Wildcats won just three games last year but there's plenty of optimism that the team will be much more competitive in 2025. Coach Jones believes the strengths of this year's squad will be it's athleticism, speed, and depth.
"To win games we'll need to play to our strengths and that includes playing "small ball," putting the ball in play or getting on base in other ways. Once we have runners on base we'll need to create some chaos for our opponents to deal with, that means being aggressive on the base paths and creating scoring opportunities," Jones explained.
Jones is also excited about the depth and potential the team presents in it's pitching staff. Senior Cole Harlow returns as the top pitcher from last year and he's joined by Jacob Frisch, Colton Ortleib, Carter Glahn, Jayden Frisch and senior newcomer Brayden Marquardt. Jones says the message to the pitching staff is to throw strikes and don't waste pitches.
The seniors on this year's team include Caleb Biddle, Cole Harlow, Bryant Brown and Brayden Marquardt. Other returning contributors from last year include Patrick Patton, Micah Biddle, and Kevin Miles. Coach Jones likes the blend of upper and lowerclassmen on the roster and says there's room for growth for everyone.
"This is a good group of guy's and they understand that we're one big family and they are all brothers for the next three months," Jones explained. "We've put a lot of hard work into the offseason and our preparation and now it's time to go out and do it on the field. These guy's are ready to learn, have fun, and be successful."
Pendleton County opens its season on March 17 at Calvary Christian and will travel to face Bellevue on March 18. They'll host Bishop Brossart in the home opener on March 20 and wrap up the week hosting Bath County on March 22.
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2025 Wildcat Baseball Schedule
3/17 Calvary Christian Away 5:30 p.m.
3/18 Bellevue Home 5:30 p.m. 3/20
Bishop Brossart Home 5:15 p.m.
3/22 Bath County Home 11:00 a.m.
3/24 Lloyd Home 5:30 p.m.
3/25 Newport Home 5:30 p.m.
3/26 Robertson Co. Home 5:30 p.m.
3/28 Mason County Home 5:30 p.m.
3/29 Cooper Home 11:00 a.m.
3/31 Harrison County Away 5:15 p.m.
4/1 Bourbon County Home 5:30 p.m.
4/3 Nicholas Co. Away 5:30 p.m.
4/5 Scott Away 11:00 a.m.
4/7 Ludlow Away 5:00 p.m.
4/8 Carroll County Away 2:00 p.m.
4/9 Paris Home 5:30 p.m.
4/12 Bath County Away 11:00 a.m.
4/14 Harrison County Home 5:15 p.m.
4/15 Bracken County Away 5:30 p.m.
4/17 Augusta Away 5:30 p.m.
4/19 Paris Away 11:00 a.m.
4/19 Thomas Nelson Away 1:30 p.m.
4/21 Nicholas County Home 5:30 p.m.
4/22 Robertson Co. Away 5:30 p.m.
4/24 Ludlow Home 5:30 p.m.
4/25 Mason County Away 5:30 p.m.
4/28 Heritage Academy Away 5:30 p.m.
4/29 Campbell County Away 5:30 p.m.
5/1 Grant County Away 5:30 p.m.
5/3 Cooper Away 10:30 a.m.
5/8 Augusta Home 5:30 p.m.
5/9 Calvary Christian Home 5:30 p.m.
5/10 Newport Away 2:00 p.m.
5/12 Heritage Academy Home 5:30 p.m.
5/13 Bellevue Home 5:30 p.m.
5/14 Bourbon County Away 5:30 p.m.