HENDERSONVILLE Grant Williams is back in black … and gold.
The senior standout returned to the baseball field for Hendersonville High School on Tuesday night, helping the Commandos to a lopsided win over visiting Portland.
Williams was slated to be one of the few returning starters for Hendersonville this season, but his family relocated back to West Monroe, La., shortly before the regular season began.
“I was pretty excited,” Williams said of returning to Hendersonville. “I had fun down there, but I have more friends on the team here.”
Hendersonville High senior Grant Williams runs from third base to home plate during the first inning.
Williams transferred to Hendersonville in October of his sophomore season.
Due to his mother’s job-related circumstances, the family moved back to Louisiana in early March. However, Williams was only away for approximately for a month as they moved back to Hendersonville last week.
“It gave the kids a big boost,” Commando head coach Mike Hendrix said. “It’s great to have him and his brother (Harrison) back.
“When he left, it was a shock to all of us. I’m glad to have him back.”
The Williams brothers were cleared to compete by the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) on Monday. Sophomore Harrison Williams could be utilized at third base, in the outfield and on the mound.
“I’d rather be here,” Grant Williams – who played in approximately eight games for West Monroe High School – said. “We basically moved here because of Middle Tennessee (State University).”
Grant Williams is an MTSU signee, and he will qualify for in-state tuition now that the family has moved back to Hendersonville.
Grant Williams
Williams – a pitcher and designated hitter who may also play first base this season – was a key cog in the Hendersonville’s postseason run to the Class AAA State Tournament last season. Williams picked up four pitching victories in the postseason, including a win over Wilson Central in the District 9-AAA Tournament championship game, a victory over Clarksville and Vanderbilt University signee Donny Everett in the Region 5-AAA Tournament semifinal round, and then another win in the team’s sectional victory over visiting Centennial.
On the mound, Williams had a 9-1 record and a 1.31 earned-run average, with opposing hitters batting just .165 against him. Over 69 and 1/3 innings, Williams allowed 41 hits, issued 20 base on balls and struck out 69 hitters. At the plate, Williams had a .358 batting average with 10 doubles, three home runs, 29 runs scored and 32 runs batted in. His on-base percentage was .478.
He was named the Sumner County Player of the Year and also competed with some of the state’s top underclassmen last summer as part of Team Tennessee in the Junior Sunbelt National Championship, helping the squad to a runner-up finish.
Hendersonville equaled a program record with 33 wins last season, won the District 9-AAA North Division championship, captured the District 9-AAA Tournament title and claimed the Region 5-AAA Tournament championship.
“It’s a different team,” Williams said. “I think we can make a run back to state. We actually play as a team. I think we can make a run at getting back, but it depends on who we play in the district tournament.”
The Commandos adjusted well without Williams, winning 14 of their 17 games without the standout.
In his return on Tuesday, Williams drew a base on balls, singled, scored two runs and then lined a ball into rightfield for what appeared to be a run-scoring double. However, that last hit was negated due to Williams failing to tag first base.
“It’s huge for us,” Hendersonville senior pitcher Will Wacaser said. “When he left to go back to Louisiana, it wasn’t detrimental. We still did pretty well, but to have him back is a huge advantage. He’s back throwing the ball and hitting the ball … and he’s a great guy too. We love having him back.”
Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports.