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Tournaments  | Story  | 6/24/2020

Four More Years Together

Brett Greenberg     
Photo: Cayden Wallace (Perfect Game)
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Clayton Gray and Cayden Wallace are two of the top players in the 2020 class representing Rawlings Arkansas Prospects –Platinum this summer. 

Gray and Wallace will be headed to the University of Arkansas this fall to play collegiate baseball. Arkansas is welcoming in a top-20 ranked class for 2020 and will also be welcoming in five other players from this team. Ethan Bates, #2 shortstop in Arkansas, Tyler Cacciatori, #5 RHP in Arkansas, Jackson Cobb, #24 shortstop in Texas, Zac White, unranked outfielder out of Arkansas, and Jaxon Higgins, #3 RHP in Oklahoma, are the other players committed to Arkansas. 



Gray is the number one ranked outfielder in the state of Arkansas while Wallace is the number one ranked third baseman in Arkansas and the fourth ranked third baseman in the United States. Gray and Wallace are both from Arkansas, so it comes as no surprise that these two will be staying in their home state for collegiate baseball. Clayton says his recruitment process was relatively short because he had, “a shorter timeline with recruitment,” thus committing when he was just a freshman in high school. Cayden, on the other hand, had several different offers to consider and was allowed to take more time to make a final decision. 

“I ended up committing to Arkansas my sophomore year of high school,” said Wallace. “Clayton was committed before me, so he was there for me to ask questions about Arkansas’ program.” 

Gray says he is excited about the opportunity to play at Arkansas with one of his good friends and was happy to help Wallace in any way he needed. Clayton Gray and Cayden Wallace will not have a hard time finding new teammates or friends due to the seven commits, but more specifically, Gray and Wallace have been playing with each other since they were ten years old. These two first played on the Arkansas Express when they were 10 years old, then went to play for the Arkansas Prospects (current team) when they were 14 years old. They have been a part of this organization since 14U and they say the coaches are who they thank for their success. 

“I would say the core values and roots we learned from Coach Joe Fitz when we were young got us to this spot,” said Gray. “We also have had Coach Andy Menard who coached us and taught us to carry ourselves like pros when we were only 10.” 

“We have been extremely lucky with our head coaches throughout the years,” said Wallace. “Every coach Clayton and I have had are top coaches in this organization.” 

When asked about playing together for 10 years and the memories, both players talked about the friendship they built with one another and the championships they won. Clayton and Cayden grew up just one town from each other and were friends growing up even before they played baseball together. Gray says he and Wallace would hang out at each other’s houses when they weren’t playing baseball. There is an unbreakable bond between the two, which is evident when this team plays. Clayton says he is usually on deck when Cayden is up and his favorite part of the game is when, “Cayden hits a home run and I just get to watch it and get that helmet tap when he crosses the plate.” 

These two made it clear that they love one another both on and off the field and made sure to mention they are always rooting each other on. 

“Clayton always says, “serve it up,” when I am up to bat,” said Wallace. “That is just something he’s been saying forever, it is kind of like our little language that we have developed through the years.” 

Both were unable to play in their last high school season due to the Coronavirus pandemic but were able to work on all aspects of the game as well as working to get stronger during the quarantine. Wallace is lucky enough to have a cage in his backyard where he is able to work on his hitting, while Gray was able to rent out some local cages. Both said they could not just lie around during the quarantine and used their time to get better. This is the team’s fourth tournament of the summer. 

“I actually started playing just two weeks ago, so it has been a little bit of an adjustment and race to get back where I need to be, but I am finding my footing and getting my groove back at the plate,” said Wallace. 

Anyone who watches the Arkansas Prospects has probably heard that same familiar voice behind the plate who is always shouting and motivating the players. That voice is Clayton Gray’s grandmother, who says she has been to every one of his games since he was a tyke. Referred to as “grandma” by the team and parents, she is one of the driving forces behind the team’s success. She is always cheering on every player while also making sure the scoreboard is correct and the umpire is calling a good game (from her viewpoint). When asked about grandma, Gray’s face lit up with a smile from ear to ear and said that she is just the best. Gray says grandma is the team’s biggest and loudest supporter and they would not be able to be as successful without her support. 

“Yea man, grandma is one of a kind,” said Gray. “Fans from the other team always complain about her and call her obnoxious, but we love it and I love her.” 

“She is such a caring person,” said Wallace. “She knows everything about all of us and would do anything to help us.” 

While this is the final summer of baseball before college, Gray and Wallace were asked what they would like to focus on before school. Both responded with, “we want to get mentally stronger because this a tough game with a lot of ups and downs, especially in the SEC.” 

Both offered some advice to those younger who want to get to where they are:
“Play the game normally and have fun.” – Cayden Wallace
“Play like you’re still a little kid and play loose.” – Clayton Gray

Clayton Gray and Cayden Wallace will be headed to bracket play of the 18U WWBA National Championship starting Wednesday, June 23rd. These two and the rest of the Arkansas Prospects look to carry over the momentum of pool play into bracket play for a chance to win it all. 
 
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