Andy Wright
Dillon CliftSoddy-Daisy baseball players Andy Wright and Dillon Clift have been going through fall workouts, and they have minimized the pressure from college recruiters when the 2015 season begins.
A right-handed pitcher, Wright has committed to Middle Tennessee State. Clift, his batterymate, followed soon after with a commitment to East Tennessee State.
There apparently is no pressure, either, on the team or its coaching staff.
"We have laughed about that the last couple of weeks," Trojans coach Jared Hensley said of recent conversations with pitching coach Jamie Tricoglou. "It's not pressure. Our expectations for ourselves and the program and the kids' expectations for themselves are always high. We feel we could be good, but you still have to go do it.
"Pressure is when you have a sick child or a family member in the hospital. At the end of the day we're going out and playing a game. That's no pressure compared to life."
Wright and Clift have started since their freshman year.
"Andy played either shortstop or the outfield as a freshman, and he's also started at third base for us the past two seasons," Hensley said.
Despite a somewhat high earned run average (4.77) a year ago, Wright impressed recruiters at some summer showcases while playing with Chuck Marsh's Tennessee Twisters.
"That ERA is misleading," Hensley said. "He gave up 12 runs in a couple of innings in his first game (against Ringgold), and he gave up only 10 earned runs the rest of the way."
In 39 innings, Wright had 48 strikeouts and a 5-2 record, working as a closer for district games and starting on the weekends.
Clift caught recruiters' eyes earlier this fall while playing with Chattanooga Exposure out of the (Brandon) Turner Baseball Academy.
"He had an incredible fall -- hit somewhere close to .500," Hensley said. "For us his strength has been an incredible arm and the ability to block (pitches) behind the plate. His offense improved with the Exposure and he has done a good job of listening to what Trig has said in bullpen sessions. He has become an extension of the coaching staff from behind the plate."
Clift hit .351 for the Trojans last spring with a .495 slugging percentage, three home runs, seven doubles and 20 RBIs.
Hensley also is expecting a strong season from left-handed pitcher Hunter Maynor, Soddy-Daisy football's quarterback and a starting wrestler.
"I expect him to pitch well enough to get some offers, too," Hensley said.
There also are a handful of junior prospects on the team.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.