Seniors look to go out on top at Baum

By Jeremy Muck/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

If Watson Chapel wins the Class 6A state championship game against Sylvan Hills tonight at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville, they can point to last weekend’s state tournament as the catalyst for their title.

The Wildcats (23-3) were down to their last out in the 12th inning last Saturday against Jacksonville in the quarterfinals of the Class 6A state tournament in Texarkana. But Watson Chapel rallied to tie the game at 5-5 and went on to win 6-5 in 13 innings thanks to Tyler Massanelli’s game-winning hit.

Michael Newby and Chance Cleveland, who have been the go-to pitchers for Wayne Richardson’s Wildcats this season, pitched in both state tournament games in Texarkana. While Newby struggled against Jonesboro last Monday, Cleveland came on to pitch five scoreless innings to help Watson Chapel win 6-3 as the Wildcats advanced to tonight’s championship game.

“We always say that good pitching shuts down good hitting. They gave us a chance to win,” Richardson said of Newby and Cleveland. “We knew after the first game that were fortunate to win. When it came to Monday, we knew both of them were tired. We used the one that had the most gas. Newby was flat. Chance came on in the third inning and was sharp for five innings.”

This week, the Wildcats have not only had to prepare for the state championship game against Sylvan Hills, but also prepare for graduation, which took place on Thursday night. The Wildcats have 11 seniors on their roster and after the graduation ceremony, Richardson and Co. decided to leave Pine Bluff to head on up to northwest Arkansas, to get away from any possible distractions that graduation night could present to a 17-18 year old.

Richardson is pleased with how his team has responded this week after playing 20 innings in southwest Arkansas last weekend.

“The kids came in a little tired (earlier this week),” Richardson said. “We knew it was going to rain this week, so we’ve ran a lot. They knew there was a sense of urgency.”

Between the two schools, Watson Chapel and Sylvan Hills have won a combined 10 state championships, with the Wildcats having won four state championships under Richardson. The 50-year old Richardson, who is the older brother of Woodlawn head coach Tommy Richardson, has been the head coach at Watson Chapel since 1984. He has won state championships in 1988, 1991, 1996, and 2000. If the Wildcats win tonight, this will be Richardson’s fifth state championship, which would put him in second place behind the late Billy Bock, who won nine state championships during his illustrious career at Pine Bluff, Texarkana, Sylvan Hills, and St. Anne’s.

Cleveland and his teammates would like nothing more than to win a state championship for Richardson, one of the all-time greats in high school baseball in the state of Arkansas.

“He’s done a lot for me and this team,” Cleveland said. “He set us up to be here. He’s got four rings, so it speaks for itself. It’s a great school and a great coach. Not many schools can match that.”

Newby is the probable starter for Watson Chapel tonight. Cleveland is available to pitch in relief as well as No. 3 starter Cameron Moss, if needed.

This year’s senior class has won the conference championship and have come tantalizing close to the state championship game in recent years. Richardson has been there before and has told his team about his past experiences. With this year’s team, he has wanted leadership and he has received it with flying colors.

“(Coach Richardson told us) to come out there with the intensity we’ve had the last couple of games,” Cleveland said. “At the same time, be poised and act like your seniors. Show some leadership and go out there and play the game we’ve played every day of our life.”