Hickey highlights season for Panther baseball

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By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Wilmot Union High School’s baseball squad has endured a humbling season, but there are several reasons for optimism, highlighted by a Troy Hickey no-hitter.

The Panthers, who are 1-7, received their only win at Elkhorn April 19, where Hickey fanned 12 Elks en route to an 8-2 no-hitter.

According to Wilmot coach Josh Pye, Hickey exhibits the arsenal to be an effective hurler for the Panthers.

“Troy Hickey has had two starts,” Pye said. “He started against Burlington and took a tough 1-0 loss…I think Hickey has the tools to be a shutdown pitcher and be one of the better pitchers to come through Wilmot.”

In the season-opening loss at Burlington, Hickey logged six innings, struck out six and walked five and allowed one run through four shutout innings.

Wilmot, who finished third in the SLC last year with an 8-6 record, returns five letter-winners including sophomores Gunner Peterson (outfielder), A.J. Frisby (outfielder), Justin Paasch (infielder) and junior infielder Josh Schattner.

Additionally, the squad has several key newcomers which include seniors Ethan Alexander (infielder) and Nick Rainey (outfielder) along with juniors Ryley Orszula (infielder), Jake Grote (infielder) and Jacob Curley (catcher).

Peterson batted 2-for-3, scored three runs and knocked in three more in the 8-2 win against Elkhorn.

“Gunner has been and will be a contributor to this team,” Pye said. “He goes hard with everything he does from hitting to fielding to running the bases.”

Furthermore, sophomore infielder Kyle Gendron and freshmen Tanner Peterson and Evan Henry join the varsity squad.

Gendron, credited for his defense, could be an underclassmen to look out for in the future.

“Gendron has been a nice addition that we thought would contribute and make a difference on our ball team. He has been solid at second base for us and made some appearances on the mound,” Pye said

The sophomore second baseman went 2-for-3 in Hickey’s no-hitter against Elkhorn. He also contributed in the 7-6 loss to Waterford, where he batted 1-4 with a run and 2 RBIs.

With some optimism looming, Pye is counting on a trio of leaders to shoulder the load, Hickey, Gunner Peterson and Frisby.

“(They) will be the guys that have to step up and lead,” Pye said. “They are not vocal leaders yet, but they lead by example.”

Of the seven overall losses, three were by two runs or less, which leads Pye to believe defense is essential to the team’s success.

“With it being early in the season, we have shown that we can hit the ball…we need to get better defensively so that we are not giving up extra runs that are costing us ball games.”


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