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I am anchor
Pruitt family’s roots deepen at Sunrise Mountain
Posted
Richard SmithWest Valley Preps
It sounds like a story from another time from another, smaller town.
The local high school baseball and softball coaches, both young, start up their programs and quickly have success. The softball coach steps aside for a while to raise her children, but returns to coaching. About 20 years after they started, her boys are playing for the baseball coach that has been there since day one.
Then again, Sunrise Mountain High School is kind of like its own small town.
As the baseball and softball playoffs start again Saturday, both teams again have a realistic shot at a state title. And seniors Trevor and Tyler Pruitt, sons of softball coach Jody Pruitt, are gearing up with coach Eric Gardner for another challenge for the 4A crown.
"It’s a very cool long-term thing. Her and I have done Fellowship of Christian Athletes together. Our relationship has always been good. Her and I talk about things all the time," Gardner said. "But I think we also both hold our programs to the same standard. There’s high expectations every year and there’s an accountability for all of our athletes. We’re very consistent in how we handle our kids and I would venture to say we’ve learned from each other a little bit. She’s taught me things about taking the game for what it is and having more fun with the kids because she does a great job of that with softball. Even though Jody’s intense, she finds a way to make atmosphere fun."
Pruitt lifted the softball program into prominence early, leading it to the 2004 5A title game, then stepping away two years later to raise her fraternal twins and their older brother, Ryan. Her brother, Scott Miller, stepped in for a year and guided the 2006 team to the 5A-II state title.
That same year, Gardner’s team reached its first of three state title games. The younger Pruitt boys knew a bit about the baseball program and Gardner, but spent most of their time at the other home field.
"After school we’d always come to softball games and hang out in the dugout. We had relationships with all the softball girls and coaches. It was super cool watching them have their success. Occasionally we would go down to the baseball games," Trevor Pruitt said.
Jody Pruitt said she always looked forward to the twins being on campus with her, and was excited for them to play there.
As children of Jody, a University of Arizona Sports Hall of Fame softball catcher, and Dom Pruitt, a pitcher for four years in the minor leagues, they grew up with an in-depth knowledge of the game.
"Jody and Don and do a good job of keeping those boys grounded and being realistic with them. When you grow up in a coach’s family, you learn the game a little differently. Their baseball IQ is off the charts because they’re always around it," Gardner said. "Jody’s their biggest critic, not Don. She’s probably harder on them than Don, because that’s just the intensity Jody coaches with."
Jody Pruitt took the baton back from Nick Rizer, when he retired following the 2011 season. She led the Mustangs to the finals in 2012 and a state title in 2013.
Tyler Pruitt said their mother accelerated the twins’ development as hitters.
They stayed with the current senior class on the 2015 freshman team.
"I knew when that group was coming through as eighth graders, and even the Balko group that was coming from another school. We knew they were a good group," Gardner said. "It was the last year that Jim Caruthers was our freshman coach. And I remember him telling me that this group is going to be special when they’re seniors. He loved that group and he still talks to those kids."
Both came up to the varsity in 2016, as the Mustangs were in Division I thanks to a one-year AIA experiment. The brothers said that large group of seniors was intimidating and they just tried to fit in.
Last season, and the Class of 2017, were completely different.
"That was one of the most fun times I’ve had playing baseball," Trevor Pruitt said.
Sunrise Mountain's Tyler Pruitt (#6) hits for a single against Greenway April 21, 2017 at Greenway High School in Glendale. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]
Trevor Pruitt became one of the program’s best pitchers, while Tyler concentrated more at the plate.
The fun of the 2017 baseball season ended abruptly in an error-filled quarterfinal loss. So the players licked their wounds and watched softball reach the 4A finals.
"A bunch of the baseball kids went to the softball playoff games. Even last year we did a practice with the softball team. We saw how they ran things and how different it actually is," Trevor Pruitt said. "We understand that we’re successful programs."
That kind of camaraderie has been common since Gardner and Pruitt started their programs in the mid-1990s.
"We both encourage our players to support each other and we find value in each others success," Jody Pruitt said. "Coach Gardner and I have a great relationship. We are able to bounce ideas off of one another or provide just another perspective from each other."
Sunrise Mountain softball just split its games with rival Cactus, and is one of four main contenders — along with the Cobras, defending champ Tucson Canyon del Oro and Tucson Salpointe Catholic.
Softball and baseball were both ranked No. 5 in 4A entering the season. The baseball team is 23-3 overall and took off with a 10-0 trouncing of rival Liberty March 4.
"I think that was the moment we said that we can do this. We’re a really good team," Tyler Pruitt said.
Tyler is batting .444 and Trevor is hitting .395. He has not been healthy enough to pitch but Gardner said he should be available for the playoffs.
"Tyler has been an unbelievable player this year. He’s got first team all state numbers. And we weren’t sure coming into the year if he could play short for us every single day and he’s been amazing. But the leadership stuff is off the charts for him. He is our spark and the guys listen to him and respond to him," Gardner said. "Trevor has had a frustrating year because he has been injured on and off. But he’s put up amazing outfield numbers as a hitter and as a player. Coming into the season we thought this guy is just going to pitch."
While they had known Gardner for most of their lives, Trevor Pruitt said in the last couple of years, he has become like family.
"It’s been nice having a relationship with coach Gardner throughout the four years, and how close we’ve gotten. We can joke around and he can push us to become better players," Tyler Pruitt said.
Because the baseball and softball schedules are often the reverse of each other, Jody Pruitt said she often has to catch up on her sons’ exploits at home.
"The hardest part about coaching softball the last four years has been missing the baseball games. Most of our dinner conversations this time of year revolves around baseball and softball games and practices. My boys are my biggest fans as I am theirs and we all know it," she said.
The twins will split up for college ball. Trevor Pruitt signed to play at the University of Texas-Arlington, thanks in part to Sunrise Mountain and UTA alum Joel Kuhnel.
He said he wants to study business administration or real estate.
His brother has not picked a major, but will play for Concordia University in Portland, Oregon.
"The coaches loved the way I play and that meant a lot to me. The weather was beautiful - a little chilly but I’ve always wanted to go to the West Coast or Northwest. And the campus is beautiful," Tyler Pruitt said.
Gardner said he thinks the brothers wanted to create their own identities.
"They’re totally unique kids. They’re completely different from one another. In a weird way, they’re a combination of their older brother Ryan. Tyler is a very free spirit, as was Ryan, but Tyler has harnessed it in a way that just makes him relax and play free. Trevor is intense. He wants to win every at bat and has a little bit of spike in him. Ryan had both, he was free but he was also intense," Gardner said. "They’re best friends. Most times brothers have a love-hate relationship. They are truly best friends."
Sunrise Mountain seniors Trevor, left, and Tyler Pruitt have been on the Mustangs varsity since their sophomore year. Their mother, Jody, is the longtime coach of Sunrise Mountain softball. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]
Sunrise Mountain's Tyler Pruitt (#6) hits for a single against Greenway April 21, 2017 at Greenway High School in Glendale. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]
Sunrise Mountain seniors Trevor, left, and Tyler Pruitt have been on the Mustangs varsity since their sophomore year. Their mother, Jody, is the longtime coach of Sunrise Mountain softball. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]
