The Wiley University baseball team went into the fall strapped with a veteran squad salivating giving head coach Kendrick D. Biggs a chance to win another conference championship. Biggs’ program will return the entire roster from last year’s championship team. The potent Wildcats offense has brought in some key transfers and talented freshmen who raised the temperature in the clubhouse.
Pitching and defense were tantamount to the Wildcat’s success this past season and will remain the case this year. Keyon Guillory, Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, and Minority Baseball Prospect All-Star Game participant returns for his sophomore season. 2024 all-tournament relief pitcher, sophomore Nick Rodriguez, also returns along with the always reliable senior captain Issac Burciaga. The slick-fielding duo of senior shortstop Able Rodriguez and sophomore Amir Mason, first-team all-conference second baseman, are back to put on an elite fielding clinic.
Captain and three-year starter Jacob Perez, Jhan Javier, first-team all-conference outfielder, Ivan Del Villar, conference home run leader and all-conference second-team first baseman, Brendan Mendoza, second-team all-conference catcher, and Ryan Ready, newcomer of the year and second-team all-conference third baseman all return.
Key newcomers will be Jaziel Martinez, Dorado, PR (transfer catcher from Bryant & Stratton), Juan Pena, Santiago, DR (transfer pitcher Talladega), Kaleb Gilner, Wiggins, MS (transfer outfielder from Southeastern Baptist College), Armand Daigre, Baton Rouge, LA (transfer infielder from Southeastern Baptist College), Audreyous Bingham, Jacksonville, AR (transfer pitcher from Arkansas Baptist), Adrian Cindo, Dallas, TX (transfer utility from Louisiana College), and Samuel Urena, Brooklyn, NY (juco transfer pitcher Monroe College).
Key freshman will be Ethan Jones, Kaiden Resendez, Nathan Caboverde, Deekota Johnson, and Jose Villalobos. These young men will all play a role in the Wildcats’ defense of its conference championship.
With the foundation built and the pillars of the program in place, the Wildcats are poised to make a repeat championship run with some key additions to an already-loaded roster.