The 2023 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Mississippi.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Pearl, MS at Trustmark Park as they compete for a state championship, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Mississippi. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing other pieces of content covering the Magnolia State.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our players of the week, updating the Top 10 in each MHSAA classification as well as a Power 25. 

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.

High School Name: West Union Attendance Center

Coach’s Name: Ashley Russell 

Classification: MHSAA 1A 

2022 Record: 17-11

District Number: District 3 

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 9 

No. of Returning Pitchers: 6 

Team Strengths: Solid and shifty group defensively with depth on the mound, a team that can hit for power.

Top Returning Players:

• UTL Greer Manning
• UTL Benton Burks
• INF/RHP Grant Martin
• UTL Jon Grey Morrisson

Top 2023 Prospects:

• 1B CJ Shirley

Top 2024 Prospects:

• INF/RHP Cole Willard

Top 2025 & 2026 Prospects:

• OF Mack Wallis

Team Outlook:

Coach Ashley Russell must be pretty excited about the spring as his West Union squad returns 9 positional starters and 6 arms from last season. A team that finished 17-11, including an appearance in the 1A north state championship. 

CJ Shirley (1B/LHP) will provide the senior leadership for a very young roster. The lefty led the Athletics in innings a year ago and will be looked at to contribute heavily once again on the mound. 

Junior Greer Manning (UT) is expected to lead the offensive production, along with some very young help that includes sophomores Benton Burks (UT), Grant Martin (INF/RHP), and freshman Jon Grey Morrisson (UT). 

Other players expected to step up once again this season include junior Cole Williard (INF/RHP) and freshman Mack Willis (OF). 

The Athletics are excited about their pitching staff as they return plenty of depth and will have several options to pull from. All 17 wins return from a year ago, including Cole Williard’s team high of 6. 

Could be a very exciting year for the Athletics!

 

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