Injuries can derail a season. Need proof? Just ask last year’s Nixa Eagles baseball team.
Last spring, before the season even began, the Eagles’ top three starting pitchers were on the shelf with injuries. Staff ace Jacob Ruder had undergone left labrum surgery, Dustin Sipes had a crack in his pitching elbow, and Grayston Scott was sidelined with back pain.
The result? Nixa wasn’t its usual, contending self. After making three straight trips to the district championship game—including a district title in 2014—the Eagles were eliminated in the quarterfinals last spring with a 2-1 loss to Glendale.
While last year’s team had to pay the punishment for the injuries, its quite possible that this year’s team might benefit from them.
Because of the injuries, No. 4 pitcher Luke Hauswirth was elevated to No. 1 status, and gained experience he might’ve otherwise not had. In the district quarterfinal loss, Hauswirth gave the Eagles 5 2/3 innings, surrendering only two runs and five hits while striking out eight. Hauswirth wasn’t the only Nixa pitcher who had to take on a larger role than expected. Parker Dent was also asked to step up last year, and he responded well.
With both Hauswirth and Dent back to anchor the Eagles pitching staff this spring, coach Howard Greenwood has confidence that they’ll give his team a chance to win every time they take the ball.
“Probably the number one thing back is our two starting pitchers from last year,” Greenwood said. “That’s probably our biggest asset coming into this year.”
Catcher Hayden Crabtree also returns, giving Hauswirth and Dent a battery-mate they’re familiar and comfortable with.
“With Hauswirth and Dent on the hill, it makes us pretty competitive,” Greenwood said. “When those two guys are on the hill, we’re fairly solid.”
Outside of Hauswirth, Dent, and Crabtree, the Eagles also return starting first baseman Dustin Buckner. They also start four sophomores: Brett Hammit, Stephen Belcher, Ryan Murphy, and Peyton Hannah.
“Starting four sophomores, it’s probably a good time to get them experience with those seniors pitching,” Greenwood said. “I don’t see our opponents scoring a lot of runs with those two guys out there, so it’s a good time to get their feet wet.”
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On weekends, senior Corey Lummis and sophomore Jack Sanders will start, but during the week, Greenwood will rely on his two horses to help carry the team.
“I think our defense is fairly solid,” he said. “You expect some errors early in the season, but I think overall it’s going to be solid.”
