By Jay Lesandrini
IUPUC Communications Director
COLUMBUS — Former Oakland Raiders coach and owner, Al Davis, once said, “You can’t teach speed…everything else can be taught, but speed is a gift from God.”
IUPUC freshman infielder Wyatt Sutton, a former standout at Eastern Hancock High School, is putting his gift to work this season, stealing 27 bases in 30 games, ranking him tied for second in the nation among all NAIA baseball players.
Sutton, who was pleasantly surprised to learn of his national ranking, said that he mostly operates on instinct while he’s stealing bases, adding “I’m just glad to do my part to help the team. We have a great group of guys and so much potential.”
But you can’t steal bases unless you get on in the first place, and Sutton is currently leading the team in hits (28) and walks (25), and he is third in batting average (.318) and second in on-base percentage (.465).
“Wyatt is everything you want in a leadoff hitter,” Crimson Pride Head Coach Scott Bickel said. “He has a great eye at the plate, he puts the ball in play, and he makes things happen on the basepaths.”
Assistant Coach Mac Kido added that, as one of the fastest players and best hitters, Sutton has grown into a leader on the team. “When Wyatt gets on base, we know he’s going to steal. It really energizes the team.”
Sutton said that his success with stolen bases has really built up his confidence, though he still relies on a lot of little routines that keep him in a good headspace when he’s out on the field. “I’m very superstitious!” Sutton said with a laugh.
Hailing from Charlottesville, Sutton played varsity baseball for Eastern Hancock High School. He was his high school baseball team captain twice, MVP three times and won All-Hancock County and All-Mid-East Conference honors twice.
Last season with the Royals, Sutton hit .649 with 37 hits in 57 at-bats. He scored 23 runs, had 13 doubles, two triples and 19 RBI. He only struck out two times and stole nine bases.
Sutton’s speed was also an asset for the Eastern Hancock varsity tennis team where he was a doubles conference champ two times.
He chose IUPUC because he liked that it’s close to home, has a great staff, and once he visited, he was sold. “It’s a great place to be, I fell in love with it as soon as I came here,” he said.
In its inaugural year in athletics, the Columbus school is participating as an associate member of the NAIA, with plans to join the River States Conference (RSC) pending full NAIA membership. The school’s athletic programs include: baseball, softball, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s cross country.
