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3 PREP RALLY SPRING SPORTS | 2.26.2023 LELAND BARCLAY Special to the NWA Democrat-Gazette Few players will be counted on more than Presley Nichols to help carry their team this year, and he's certainly grown into the capability of doing so for the Pointers. "He's made some big improvements in the weight room," Van Buren coach Luke Weatherford said. "He's put in the work during the offseason. He looks like a grown man about to go to college." Nichols is one of only two players — along with centerfielder Malachi Henry — who have been key parts of going to the Class 5A championship game the last two years, including the state championship in 2021. "That's been fun to see all the success that we've had," Nichols said. "This year, we've got pressure on us but we've just got to have the best season that we can have and play the best we can." Nichols is also one of just five seniors for the Pointers along with Henry, Dylan Dudley, Dalen Philpot, and Caleb Adams. "He's one of our only guys that's coming back, probably him and Chi Henry that have played a big role on our team the last couple of years," Weatherford said. "We're counting on him to be one of our top arms and one of our top hitters. Hopefully, he'll pitch more innings than anybody else and he'll be right there in the middle of the lineup. Obviously, he's got to have a good year for the Pointers to have a good year." Out of 224 innings logged by the pitching staff last year, 169-1/3 graduated. Nichols will be the staff ace this season after throwing 34-1/3 innings last year with 35 strikeouts. He made 12 appearances on the mound with four starts, going 4-1 with a save and a 3.67 earned run average. He feels that weight on his shoulders. "Yes, a little bit, but I've got a good defense behind me and that will help a lot," Nichols said. "My coaches have helped me a lot so I'm confident about this year." Nichols was the regular left fielder and batted second in the lineup, finishing second on the team in runs scored with 30 and in runs batted in with 26. He hit .255 overall. "My coaches told me they look forward to me to pitch but they really look forward to me to hit the best I can," Nichols said. "It's going to be a challenge to do both really well. Hopefully, I'll do my best." Nichols was instrumental in the Pointers' 4-3 come-back thriller over Jonesboro in the second round of the Class 5A state tournament last year. He drew a full-count walk to lead off the seventh and scored the first of two runs that knotted the game, which Van Buren won in the bottom of the eighth inning. Weatherford certainly has confidence in his most experienced senior to lead the team. "For sure, he swings the bat real well and hits the ball to all fields," Weatherford said. "He's got some juice, some power. He's throwing the ball really well right now. We've been intra-squading and playing against each other and he's been tough to handle. We've had a hard time putting the ball in play when he's on the mound." Nichols, and the other seniors, have embraced their leadership responsibilities. "We've got a lot of young guys, and we've got to get them some experience, too," Nichols said. "We've got to be the best seniors that we can be and help them develop and be the best players they can be." Get Real value in BENTON COUNTY *Southern Farm Bureau® Casualty Insurance Co. *Farm Bureau® Mutual Insurance Company of Arkansas, Inc. *Southern Farm Bureau® Life Insurance Co., Jackson, MS ARMLNP40215 479-273-7786 479-524-8400 www.afbic.com BENTON COUNTY FARM BUREAU 1601 SW A St Bentonville, AR 72712 2125 E Main Street • Suite 13 Siloam Springs, AR 72761 Nichols provides leadership for Pointers PRESLEY NICHOLS VAN BUREN