Head Coach Brennen Patrick’s first year at the helm of the WHS baseball program was a tough one when it comes to wins and losses. With only two victories on the year, 2024 was full of difficult learning experiences for coaches and players alike.
This year, Patrick says that the Yellow Jackets are looking forward to taking the next steps toward building a winning culture in their dugout.
“It takes time,” Patrick said of establishing a winning identity. “I challenge them a lot. When it comes to both their school work and to being out on the field, we need to strive toward excellence in everything that we’re doing.”
Patrick also spoke about the importance of his players maintaining a sense of respect for the game, for themselves, and for their opponents, adding, “We want to make sure that we’re staying as consistent as we can. I think we are growing in the right direction.”
Patrick explained that an important key to achieving that growth is taking the time to develop relationships with younger players who will hopefully one day make an impact at the varsity level. By attending Little League contests and staying tuned in to what is happening with the middle school team, he said that he believes that overall interest in baseball is on the rise in Williamsburg and that kids are beginning to see that there are a lot of opportunities for them in the sport.
While the high school Jackets are still very much a work-in-progress, Patrick said that he is excited to see how the team has grown since last year. “They have more confidence,” he said. “We have some talent and some ability, but I have noticed that things are really starting to click mentally. That comes from just playing the game more.”
“I have told them from the beginning that they are going to make mistakes,” Patrick continued. “But it’s the attitude and the work ethic that you really look for when that happens. If the attitude is right and the work ethic is there, then it will pay off in the long run.”
Even though the team as a whole is developing a higher “baseball IQ,” this group will still feature a good amount of younger talent. Patrick will count on his lone senior, Ethan Reed, and what looks to be a strong junior class to lead the way for those sophomores and freshmen who will need to step up and contribute at the varsity level in the coming weeks and months.
“I think that we have rounded out a little bit this year,” Patrick said of his roster. “With the pieces that we have in place, I think that we will be competitive.”
Prewitt preaching accountability to Lady Jackets
While Roger Prewitt may be the new head coach of the WHS softball team, he is no stranger to the program. After having served on the coaching staff for the past two seasons, he is already very familiar with the players and is ready to see them continue their quest for improvement in 2025.
“These girls have been working extremely hard,” Prewitt said. “We are really young, with just two seniors (Kyli Monhollen and Angel Stephens), but if this group stays together and continues to work and improve, they will be able to compete.”
Prewitt said that the ultimate goal for the Lady Jackets right now is to simply keep getting better. By holding each other accountable, and not dwelling on any mistakes along the way, he said that he is confident that success will eventually follow.
“We are trying to mold them and get them ready for where they need to be,” Prewitt said. “One of the things that I preach to them is that I don’t want them to just settle for being average. I want them to strive to be better. If we don’t settle, the wins will come.”
With hopes of improving on their six wins in 2024, Prewitt and the Lady Jackets would also like to make a strong push in this year’s 13th Region All “A” Tournament. “That is one of the goals that we have set for ourselves, and we are going to work hard to do that,” he said.
The 2025 high school baseball and softball seasons will get underway Monday, March 17. The News Journal will provide regular updates on all coverage area teams as the season progresses.
