Daily Leader / Marty Albright / Representing the Wesson Cobras in the 2016 baseball season are seniors (from left) Davion Frye, Bolon Tadlock and Max Daughdrill.

A talented group of juniors, along with seniors Davion Frye, Bolon Tadlock and Max Daughdrill, will lead the Wesson Cobras on the diamond this season.

“I think we are going to have a great season,” said Wesson coach Seth Lofton. “We have a big group of juniors that bring a lot of talent. The team’s attitude and work ethic in practice has been really great.”

After finishing runners-up in the South State championship in Class 3A, the Cobras are looking to return to the playoffs and improve on a 17-6 record from last season. In division action, Wesson posted a 7-1 record to win the division crown.

Wesson will rely on four returning starters – Jeremy Smith, Preston Middleton, Daughdrill and Jimmie McQuage – to provide leadership.

Daughdrill posted a .400 batting average last season. Smith is second behind Daughdrill; as a junior as he earned a .369 batting average. Middleton had a .305 average and McQuage finished with a .241 average at the plate.

Wesson lost five starters to graduation last season – shortstop/pitcher Tyler McLeod, first baseman/pitcher Mack Smith, outfielder Ryan Traxler, third baseman Justin Boone and outfielder Mac McQuage. McLeod signed a baseball scholarship with Co-Lin last season.

Lofton’s assistant coaches are Steve Barrington and Vance Windom.

The Cobras will host a classic game Friday against East Marion. Junior varsity action starts at 4 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6 p.m.

Wesson Baseball Schedule 

FEBRUARY:

20-Wesson Jamboree (Cathedral 10 a.m., North Pike 2:30 p.m.

26-East Marion

27-at Bogue Chitto

MARCH:

3-Loyd Star at 5 p.m.

4-South Pike at Loyd Star, 4 p.m.

5-at Brookhaven

8-at Crystal Springs

11-Crystal Springs

12-Terry

17-at Natchez Cathedral

18-Natchez Cathedral

19-Loyd Star

22-Port Gibson

23-at Port Gibson

29-at Hazlehurst

APRIL:

1-Hazlehurst

2-at East Marion

5-Jefferson County

8-at Jefferson County

9- at Loyd Star

12-Franklin County

15-at Franklin County

16-Brookhaven

18-at North Pike

22-25-first round of playoffs

29-second round of playoffs

MAY

2-Second Round of Playoffs

5-9-Third Round of Playoffs

12-14-South State Championship

18-21-State Championship