Sports

WATSON CHAPEL ROLLS LITTLE ROCK HALL IN RICHARDSON’S FINAL HOME GAME

By Troy Schulte/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Monday, April 27, 2009 11:56 PM CDT

A nonconference game against Little Rock Hall turned out to be a pesky afterthought for the Watson Chapel baseball team on Monday.

Watson Chapel baseball coach Wayne Richardson (center) receives a framed jersey from former Watson Chapel superintendant Danny Knight (left) and current superintendant Danny Hazelwood (right) after the Wildcats beat Little Rock Hall on Monday. Richardson is retiring after coaching at Chapel for 28 years. SPECIAL TO THE COMMERCIAL.

Trying to finish off a mercy-rule win before the rain at Watson Chapel became too much to play through — and also to get to a surprise celebration for their retiring coach — the Wildcats scored nine runs in the bottom of the third inning to finish off a 15-0 win over the Warriors.

Watson Chapel (18-9) scored five runs in the first inning and one in the second before exploding with three home runs in the third inning, including a grand slam by senior Tyler Harrison. The game ended when Ryan Bowlin, pinch running for William Jones, scored on a passed ball.

“I told them I didn’t want the last game to end in a delay,” Watson Chapel coach Wayne Richardson said. “Then they get up there, three seniors step up, and they hit three home runs in the last inning.”

But what was to happen after the Wildcats finished off their final nonconference game of the season was what had so many gathered at Watson Chapel on Monday.

After 28 years in the Watson Chapel School District, the last 27 of which as the Wildcats’ head baseball coach, Richardson will be retiring whenever his team’s run through the state tournament concludes.

On hand for his final home game on Monday were about two dozen former players, coaches and administrators to wish him a happy farewell and to express their appreciation.

With many of them wearing black T-shirts that read “The Wayne Richardson Era,” and highlighted his four state championships and four state runner-up finishes, the coach was presented with a framed jersey by former Watson Chapel School District Superintendent Danny King and current superintendent Danny Hazelwood in a ceremony at home plate.

Richardson was also given a custom-made turkey call painted in Watson Chapel’s black and gold colors and printed on it the years of his state championships. It was a memorable day for Richardson, even if he didn’t know any of it was planned until he was coaching third base and began to notice the faces of former players in the bleachers.

“I had no idea,” he said. “I appreciate every one of them for coming back, taking the time out and coming to see me.

“It takes everything to be successful. But first come the players.”

Richie Workman didn’t hesitate to make the short drive from Little Rock to watch the final home game of his former coach. Workman, a 1992 Watson Chapel graduate, struck out 14 batters in a 6-1 win over Mountain Home to help the Wildcats capture the 1991 state championship.

He later went on to pitch at Arkansas before injuries ended his career.

“(Richardson) meant a lot to me growing up. He was a great influence on me,” Workman said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to play all over the country and in a lot of different places, but my best memories were right here at this place.”

Current Watson Chapel player Blake Sorey was happy to be on hand to see Richardson’s final game, too. His father and uncle also played for the coach and the younger Sorey helped make Richardson’s final game successful.

The senior didn’t allow a single Hall batter to reach base, struck out four and needed just 33 pitches to make it through three perfect innings.

He also hit a three-run home run to left field in a driving rain that scored Collin Massanelli and Tyler Peters to make it 14-0 in the third inning.

“I hadn’t really hit very well the whole season,” Sorey said. “It just felt good to finally get one out. It kind of boosted the confidence a little bit and now I’ve got to keep hitting like that.”

Sorey’s was the last of three home runs in the third inning to eventually put an end to Monday’s game.

The first came from Harrison, who stepped to the plate after Jones walked, Robbie Graves singled and Bracy Bottoms walked. Harrison then sent the first pitch he saw over the left-field fence to give the Wildcats a 10-0 lead. The very next pitch, Sebastian Stargell lined a pitch over the fence in right-center field.

After Sorey’s home run, Jones singled and was replaced by Bowlin, who stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball. Graves walked and Bottoms was at the plate another passed ball scored Bowlin.

Monday’s game didn’t quite put an end to Richardson’s career.

The Wildcats still have a doubleheader with Pine Bluff at 4:30 p.m. today at Taylor Field, and the Class 6A State Tournament begins Friday in North Little Rock, but Monday was certainly a touching celebration.

“We were sitting there watching it rain (after the ceremony) and we saw a big old rainbow come up,” said Richardson, pointing from the home dugout to right field. “That was a great way to end a great career. A perfect ending.”

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