Andrews – The Wildcats’ varsity baseball team is off to an undefeated start to the 2026 season.
The Cats came into the week with four straight non-conference wins, then earned their fifth to start the week. When Smoky Mountain Conference play got underway, the Cats swept Rosman to start the season with seven straight wins so far.
Cats win at home
The Wildcats opened the week by defeating IC Imagine 12-2 in their second meeting of the season at home March 9. Andrews got the game started with one run in the first inning, then added six more in the second to lead 7-0.
Andrews scored two runs in both the third and fourth innings to extend its lead to 11-0. IC Imagine got on the board in the top of the fifth inning with two runs to make it 11-2.
With one run in the bottom of the fifth, the Wildcats ended the game. Logan Hyde, Drew Dartez and Kelby Waldroup scored two runs each, while Hyde, Peanut Garrett and Dawson Stalcup had two stolen bases each.
On the mound, Waldroup gave up two runs on three hits and four walks. He also struck out 10 of the 23 batters he faced in the five-inning win.
Big home win
Andrews opened conference play by hosting Rosman on March 10, getting a 19-9 win in six innings. The Cats scored one run in the first inning for the early lead before Rosman got on the board with three runs in the top of the second to take a 3-1 lead.
The Tigers’ lead didn’t last long, as the Wildcats answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the second to regain the lead 4-3. In the top of the third inning, Rosman tied it 4-4 with one run.
Andrews began to pull away with five runs in the bottom of the third to take a 9-4 lead. The Cats added two more runs to lead 11-4 before Rosman struck back.
Rosman added two runs in the top of the fifth. However, Andrews drove in four runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 15-6 lead heading to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Rosman added three runs to cut into Andrews’ lead. The Cats sealed the deal on its first SMC win with four runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Stalcup led the Cats as he was a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with five RBI. Brady McLelland led the Cats with four stolen bases, with Logan Shuler also stealing three.
On the mound, Hyde and Garrett combined for the win.
7th straight win
The Cats hit the road to face Rosman on Friday and came home with a 12-1 win. After a scoreless opening inning, Andrews got on the board first with one run in the top of the second.
Rosman tied it up with one run in the bottom of the third. Andrews broke the tie in the top of the fourth with three runs.
The Cats added three runs in the top of the fifth to lead 7-1. In the top of the sixth, Andrews added five more.
After holding Rosman scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, the Wildcats secured the win for their second conference victory of the season. Shuler and Hyde led the team with three runs scored, with both also having two RBI, while Shuler and Hyde also contributed three stolen bases each.
Ethan Sutton pitched all six innings, allowing one run on four hits while notching 12 strikeouts.
Up next
The Wildcats will travel to Robbinsville to face the Knights at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Andrews will travel to Hiwassee Dam at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.