Huskies look to rebound & reboot with pitching leading the way

By CRAIG ADKINS

For The Reporter

Hamilton Heights graduated many seniors from a 10-19 season in 2025. The only way to go from there is up.

The future is bright and this year’s team has both youth and experience. The Huskies will be searching for answers at the plate, as they return just three from last season’s starting lineup.

“We will have to prove that we can score runs on a consistent basis,” said third-year Hamilton Heights head coach Adam Hughes.

Junior PJ Wright is the top hitter coming back. Wright hit .260 (19-for-73) had 17 RBIs, scored nine runs and hit four doubles last year. Senior Dillon Pitts was 16-of-65 at the plate, drove in 13 runs, scored nine, belted five doubles and hit a home run. Fellow senior Josh Newton also brings a solid bat. Newton scored 15 times, drove in four runs with a double, two triples and one home run.

Heights was a team that liked to run in 2025 and it will look to do the same this season. The Huskies stole 36 bases last year with 10 returning, as Wright stole five bags as a sophomore.

“Good overall team speed should help us a lot this season,” Hughes said.

Senior Owen Robey led with 33.2 innings, struck out 35 and held opposing hitters to a .202 average. Robey looks to help anchor the rotation, along with classmate Pitts, who went 2-5 with a 3.21 earned-run average in 32.2 innings. Pitts fanned 33 and gave up just 15 earned runs.

Junior Kaden Lawson topped Husky pitchers with a 4-3 record in 25.1 frames while striking out 29 and looks to be a key rotation arm. Junior Cyrus Mason was 1-0 (1.75 ERA), appearing in seven games, throwing 16 innings, whiffing 16 and limiting opponents to a .211 average. Sophomore Owen Hughes will also be a fixture on the mound. Hughes was 1-2 in 15.1 innings last year, striking out 18 and walking just six in four appearances.

“We will return an experienced pitching staff,” Hughes said.

There are a few top newcomers that look to make an immediate impact. Junior Austin Kappes will play outfield and pitch (he pitched 2.1 innings in 2025). Sophomore Landon Hickman (six games played) and junior infielder Brennan Heckman will be looked upon to start this season.

The Huskies open the season at home with a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. tomorrow against Fort Wayne Northrop.

Next week, Heights visits the Jay County Patriots on Thursday, April 9 and finishes up the second week of spring break with a Saturday doubleheader on April 11 at Anderson at 11 a.m.

During mid-season, Heights will play two games each in the Hoosier Conference against Western, Tipton and Logansport.

Non-conference opponents include road trips to Maconaquah, Brebeuf Jesuit, Lawrence Central, Clinton Prairie, Kokomo and Frankfort (DH).

The Huskies will also play Daleville, Lapel, Shelbyville, Hamilton Southeastern, McCutcheon and Noblesville at home.