Year in, year out, the Ozark Tigers baseball program is always tough. Last year was no exception.
The Tigers finished with a 19-10 record and advanced to the district championship in a loaded Class 5 District 11 field. Ozark beat West Plains 15-2 in the quarterfinals before knocking out Branson 3-2 in extras in the semifinals, on a walk-off homer by Clayton Engel.
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The Tigers were unable to hold a late lead and fell to Kickapoo 3-2 in the district title game. Kickapoo went on to finish third in the state.
While Ozark does return a talented roster, they did lose three key seniors from last year—all of which will be difficult to replace. Collin Fraley—who started the district championship game last year for Ozark—is now playing collegiately at Lubbock Christian University.
Caleb Essick now plays for Keith Guttin’s Missouri State Bears, and Zack Wells—another key contributor from last year—also graduated last spring.
“We’ll miss their overall skill and talent level,” Ozark coach Mike Essick said. “Offensively, defensively, and on the mound they will be missed.”
Even though they lost some talented seniors to graduation, Ozark does return a strong group of seven key players that includes Engel, Cole Smith, Tanner Wallace, Noah Tucker, Nathan Buckmaster, Andrew Fedje, Carter Norton, and Zach Flood.
“They bring a lot of experience, leadership, and talent,” Mike Essick said.
Those seven players will be depended on to provide leadership and help Ozark maintain its usual high level of play.
Ozark also welcomes in a group of eight newcomers, who have a chance to make an impact on the team this spring. These players include pitcher/middle infielder Forest Barnes, pitcher/middle infielder Parker Hanks, infielder/HD Cade Little, infielder Preston Sundlie, outfielder Noah Suiter, outfielder Zach Ford, outfielder Curt Gracey, and pitcher/outfielder Brian Wacha.
“The strengths of this team are that they have good cohesion and have the ability to execute and do the little things necessary to win games,” Mike Essick said. “I expect that we’ll be competitive and will put ourselves in a position to have an opportunity to win games.”
