Hitting For Home: Hunter Wyant

Story Links

April 17, 2001

Fourth-year Hunter Wyant has been playing baseball in the Charlottesville area for 15 years. The product of Western Albemarle High School currently leads the Cavaliers in six offensive categories including batting average, slugging percentage, runs scored, hits, triples, and total bases. The offensive-minded shortstop is also second on the team in RBI, doubles, and home runs.

Wyant credits much of his success to the support of his parents. His father helped him develop as a player since he began playing Little League at age seven and remains an integral part of his success on the diamond today.

“My earliest memory is hitting in the backyard with my dad. Even now whenI am in a slump I will have my dad throw for me in hopes of ending thestreak,” Wyant said. “Playing at UVa is nice because my parents can watch me play and I feel fortunate that they can do that.”

The White Hall native has always enjoyed playing shortstop and has paid close attention to the best in the business at that position. His first role model in the sport was Cal Ripken. Now he admires the play of Boston Red Sox All-Star Nomar Garciaparra.

“He is one of the best hitters in baseball and is a great defensive player” Wyant said.

Before he tries to join Ripken and Garicaparra in professional baseball, Wyant hopes to end his Cavalier career on a positive note. He has his sights set on breaking the UVa record for most hits in a single season. As of April 16, Wyant needed just 25 hits to break the mark of 88 set by current teammate Jon Benick during the 1999 season.

Wyant will graduate in May with a degree in Economics. Then he’ll try to make his lifelong dream of playing professional baseball a reality. Until then, this homegrown Cavalier will enjoy circling familiar base paths a few more times.