By Dana Harding
Lockwood’s 2016 campaign resulted in a 15-5 season and a district championship. While the Tigers fell in the sectional round to Hurley, new head coach Jonathan Nash feels the pieces are in place to take yet another step this season.
“We won 15 games a year ago to go along with a Class 1, District 6 title and finally started gaining some confidence down the stretch,” Nash said. “In baseball, that confidence can go a long way.”
Lockwood will face early challenges in its quest. The Tigers were moved up to Class 2 this season and must replace a strong senior class from last season, including a pair of all-conference players in Ben Schnelle and Nolan Sparkman. Lockwood will also miss the veteran leadership of Jonathan Cossins and Samuel Sconce..
“We tasted some success, which is something Lockwood baseball hasn’t had in a while,” Nash said. “I was proud of them for holding themselves to a higher standard and competing at that level and really feel like that will make us hungry for more.”
Lockwood’s returning core features a great deal of varsity experience.
Senior Will Beerly (IF/P) has led the team two of the last three years in batting average as well as on base percentage and is a big part of what the Tigers do offensively.
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Juniors Brady Oeltjen (OF) and Logan Sparkman (OF/P) are both strong at the plate and have the speed to leg out and extend extra base hits.
Junior Justin Nentrup (IF/P) is a tough out and a smart hitter and has had several quality outings the past two seasons on the mound. Nash hopes Nentrup will be able to keep Lockwood competitive against some of the primary contenders in conference play and in the postseason.
Sophmore Paxton Masterson (IF/C) will be nursing an injury through the first half of the season with hopes of returning. Paxton caught for Lockwood in every game last year and had a lot of success at the plate.
Seniors Dalton Manke (OF) and Skylar Neil (IF) round out the group of mainstays in the Tiger lineup.
Nash looks forward to the upcoming season’s challenges.
“It will be up to the veterans to show the way for newcomers with their work ethic and how they respond to adversity early on,” Nash said. “Success will depend heavily on how committed these guys are to putting in work and getting better each and every day.”
Lockwood will contend for the Class 2 District 13 crown with perennial favorites Marion C. Early, Jasper and Liberal.
An home-opening clash with Liberal should give the Tigers a good early-season indication.
“I think after that game our guys will really understand the level of play that will be expected of them if we are to continue our success and repeat as district champs,” Nash said.
Lockwood opens the season March 17 in the Lamar Tournament against Diamond.
