The Mountain Grove Panthers concluded their 2015 season with a SCA Conference title, Class 3 District 10 championship, and a 22-7 record, losing to eventual state champ Fatima in sectional play.
Head Coach Derwin McGownd, the reigning SCA coach of the year, says he is looking forward to a season with similar successes.
“I guess if I wanted to set a goal, it would be to make it to the Final Four,” he said, “but there are a lot of really good teams that are in the way.”
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With eight players named to the All-SCA team last year, McGownd only loses three. Jacob Mitchell is currently in the starting lineup at right field for Coffeyville Community College and served the Panthers as a utility player. He could be found at first base, pitching, or at third base when teammate Garrett Newberry was on the mound.
Newberry, a first-team All-SCA pitcher, also anchored the infield at third base. Easton Collins played in right field and was a solid outfielder for his team.
Senior Alex Moore, who was named to the second team as an all-conference pitcher last year, has been hard at work in the offseason and takes over the top pitching spot. “We will rely on him to be our ace,” said McGownd. Moore has dual-committed to play at Western Iowa and then at Missouri State following graduation.
D.J. McNew, a returning three-year starter, will start at shortstop. A consistent .300 hitter each year, McNew will also be called to the mound from time to time. Blaine Halford is another three-year starter. Halford, who has committed to Evangel, is a three-year starter, plays the outfield and bats lead off.
“He plays the outfield really well and has great speed,” said McGownd.
Cory Allen has also committed to Evangel, plays the outfield well, and is a three-year starter. Brock Coffman, a two-year starter, will pitch more this year than last, plays middle infield, and batted .408 last season.
Treye Collins is in his second year behind the plate as catcher and smacked the game-winning home run against Licking in the district championship last year. Austin Williams played behind Newberry and Mitchell at third base last season, and McGownd says Williams is expected to play a huge role on the team.
Cade Coffman should play at the varsity level in either right field or at first base, and Hayden Newberry, who DH’d for the team last year, will also likely fill one of those positions.
Coach McGownd noted the athleticism of his team, as they have found success on both the football field and basketball court as well as the baseball diamond.
“I feel that we have a very good team and should be able to repeat as conference champs,” said Coach McGownd. “Districts will be tough for us, but I feel we can also win it again.”
