While many high school baseball programs struggle to find one consistent arm, Bearden has built their identity around a starting rotation of pitchers that Coach Dave Prichard calls the definitive “strong point” of the roster.
Seniors Grayson Wright and Charlie Loftin have been joined by sophomore Colton Perkins as the primary starters, while senior Matt Schroeffel continues to recover from injury. Once he returns, Coach Prichard will have even more options to choose from.
“Competition needs friction,” Pritchard said. “Without friction, competition can’t begin.
“Our guys knew they were going to get chances; the question is what would you do with that chance.”
Wright, the staff’s southpaw ace, has been a marked man since throwing a no-hitter as a freshman. Now a senior, Wright said the pressure of high expectations has become secondary to his internal preparation. He noted that it has gotten easier with experience, and that four years of game-time situations has slowed the game down for him.
Wright has earned a reputation for a high “pitchability”, a term used for pitchers who can manipulate a lineup through multiple looks. His strategy relies on unpredictability, especially during a second or third trip through the order. Wright noted that his goal to throw different pitches in various situations ensure hitters cannot predict his movement.
While Wright provides the veteran precision, Loftin brings high athleticism to the roster.
Loftin’s time on the mound also pays dividends when he steps into the batter’s box. He noted that being a pitcher allows him to see the game differently as a hitter, recognizing the sequences and patterns opposing arms rely on.
Coach Prichard doesn’t just look for talent, but also for tenacity. He noted that Loftin has found his identity as a pitcher over the last year, while Wright continues to compete at a high level regardless of whether he’s on or off the field. For a pitcher to earn a starting spot in Prichard’s rotation, they must meet a strict set of “non-negotiable” traits: consistency and mental toughness.
“Consistency, being able to constantly deliver when asked, toughness and tenacity,” Coach Prichard said. “It is the ability to have a short memory and come back twice as aggressive.”
Bearden (7-6, 4-2 District 4-AAAA) won back-to-back district games against Hardin Valley on Monday and Wednesday before heading to Hoover, Ala., for the Hoover Buc Classic, which runs through the end of the weekend.
When they get back from the tournament, they jump back in to league play with home and away games against McMinn County on Monday and Wednesday, respectively.