The Nettleton Raiders suffered through a 3-19 season a year ago, but with a strong class of seniors and other experienced players returning, Coach David Utley is hoping that strong leadership could propel the Raiders to a strong season and a shot at the postseason. No fewer than seven seniors return to the Raider lineup, and Coach Utley feels like that could be a game changer for his team. He also knows what his team will have to improve on to better their chances.“ We will have to limit defensive mistakes to keep starting pitchers in the game,” he said.“ Our strengths will be our pitching and defense. Some areas of concern will be lack of depth and the offensive side of the ball.” Nettleton pitching will have to keep the Raiders in the game until the offense can generate some runs. Senior Ford Raffo leads the way for the Nettleton Raiders this season. The shortstop hit. 328 last season with five homeruns, 12 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. On the mound, Raffo had 67 strikeouts in 42 innings. The Arkansas Rich Mountain signee has a strong fastball that can touch 90 with good movement on it and his breaking pitches. Classmate Maddox Hampton also signed with Rich Mountain and will return to the diamond after a year away from the team. The football quarterback has a strong fastball that can touch 90 as well with good movement and location. Hampton will likely play up the middle at second base or shortstop when not pitching. Fellow senior Bennett Ditto will complete the battery behind the plate, while Kam Bender will add depth to the bullpen with good breaking stuff. Bender stole 17 bases last year and will also play in the outfield. Senior Jackson Butler will join Bender in the outfield, while classmate Jerry Hudgens will DH and play some first base. Clark Phillips also returns to the Nettleton lineup at one of the corner infield positions a year after missing due to surgery. Junior Wyatt Park could play second or shortstop when needed and will see some innings on the bump with a fastball in the upper 70s. Sophomore Carter Clarkson will see some time in the infield and back Ditto behind the plate. Fellow sophomore Tyler Cole will help out in the outfield and on the basepaths this season, while freshman Tripp Hart could see some action in the infield or outfield when needed. With so much experience back, the Nettleton Raiders should show signs of improvement in a tough 5A East. If they can find runs to go along with their pitching, the Raiders could make a push for a spot at state.
The Nettleton Lady Raiders enjoyed a 17-9 season and a return to the postseason falling in the first round in a close game with eventual state runner-up Beebe. Coach Charla Kinnard lost some key pieces on that squad, but has a solid core of returners to help Nettleton return to the state tournament. It starts in the circle with Kennedy Massey. Massey backed up Acelin Hart last season going 1-1 with a 2.66 ERA, but will be the ace of the staff this year. She also drove in 12 runs while scoring 19 times with a. 448 on-base percentage last year. Sydney Huntsman and MeKenzie Racy hold down the left side of the infield. Huntsman will be at shortstop, while Racy will be in the hot corner at third base. Huntsman hit. 244 with 19 RBIs and 20 runs scored, while Racy drove in 13 runs and scored 11 times for the Lady Raider offense. Jayla Smith will be across the diamond at first base, and Avery Sample returns to patrol centerfield. Sample hit. 349 with 118 RBIs and 12 runs scored last season. A few newcomers are looking to step up and fill some roles for the Lady Raiders. Sky Watkins and Kylie Deaton could play in the outfield, while Deaton could also see time at second base. Arleth Huantes could also play second and spend some time behind the plate. Coach Kinnard is looking for her girls to“ stay consistent with hitting and steady on defense.” If the Nettleton Lady Raiders are able to do that, they will have the opportunity to return to the postseason. Look for the Nettleton Lady Raiders to compete for one of the coveted state tournament spots once again.
Coach Trey Gossett and the Trumann Wildcats will look to improve in 2025 as they move into a new conference in the 4A-3 with traditional baseball powers. Youth will be a major theme for Coach Gossett this season. Sophomore Drake Harlow will be the leader at the plate and on the mound for the Wildcats. Harlow hit. 412 last season and led the team in five offensive categories. He will likely be at a corner outfield position when not on the mound where he struck out 34 batters last season. Junior Brayden Passmore will play centerfield and bat leadoff for Trumann. Passmore moves up the lineup where he had a. 395 on-base percentage and 12 RBIs. He will also pitch for Coach Gossett’ s club, striking out 30 last season in 17 innings of work. Fellow junior Jacob Jones hit. 233 last season with 15 RBIs and will see time at first base and at DH. Freshman Cayden Steele should make an impact in the lineup for the Wildcats. Steele shows a great approach to the plate and will see time on the mound as well where he shows great poise and control. Coach Gossett believes for his guys to compete in a new conference, they will need to be aggressive at the plate and fill up the strike zone on the mound. Trumann’ s strength will be team speed and experience in key positions according to Coach Gossett. NEA Sports looks for the Trumann Wildcats to show improvement with a young squad this season and compete in the 4A-3.
The Trumann Lady Wildcats were one game away from the regional tournament last season finishing 6-9. Coach Stacy Toddy is hoping to get over the hump in a new conference and take that next step in the postseason. Coach Toddy loves the leadership within the team and the team’ s culture and dynamic. She believes they have the ability to generate runs offensively with good slappers and speed. Coach Toddy is looking for her team to be more consistent day in and day out and play solid defense behind solid pitching. Faith Muntz returns to the circle after posting a 2.085 ERA last season. Muntz has good movement and location with all of her pitches keeping opposing batters guessing. Delaney Osment completes the battery with Muntz for the Lady Wildcats. The junior catcher hit. 206 with 20 RBIs last season. Sadie Carter also returns to the lineup after batting. 347 last year with a. 448 on-base percentage. Some new faces will need to step up and fill some roles for Trumann. Jacee Smallman and Gryasen Church are freshmen that could make an impact, along with junior Lynlee Correa. Sophomore Kendall Ferguson is stepping into a new role in centerfield, while classmate Daly Lazos will be a utility player, playing the infield and outfield when needed. Coach Toddy touts Zauria Young as a vocal leader who is a good power hitter. The Trumann Lady Wildcats will have some unknowns as they move into the 4A-6 conference. There are some familiar foes with Wynne and Southside, but a couple of new matchups with Lonoke and Stuttgart. In the end, the Lady Wildcats will be in the mix to advance to the regional tournament in May.