By Derek Shore
Head Coach: Mike Godfrey
2015-16 Record: 11-20 W-L (2-5 record in COC-Large play) – Eliminated by Neosho in Class 5, District 12 semifinals
Top Players: Doc Fultz (C/P), Shane Becker (INF/P), Dylan Lee (INF), Ian O’Malley (OF/1B/P), Kaden Carter (INF), Trason Vogt (P/OF), Brett Fullerton (C/OF), and Colton Smith (INF)
Cartage baseball has suffered middling results since their last winning season in 2013-14. Most recently, the Tigers posted an 11-20 overall record while finishing sixth in the COC-Large last spring.
When reflecting on the 2015-16 campaign, head coach Mike Godfrey liked the progress his team made as the season went on, but the inconsistency was the biggest culprit for Carthage.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
“Last year’s team had solid pitching and as a team improved from the beginning to the end of the year,” Godfrey said, who’s in his ninth season at the program. “We struggled defensively and had trouble scoring runs.”
In the district playoffs, the Tigers were able to outlast the Tigers of Republic in extra-innings but were eventually ousted by Neosho in the district semifinals.
With the new season comes turnover as Carthage graduated four starters and six lettermen, including two three-year starters and all-conference performers in Matthew Patton (P/INF) and Gavin Huke (P/OF) in addition to three-year lettermen Kendall Young (OF) and Jacob Terry (P).
Good news for the Tigers is they return more starters than they lost (five) and welcome back seven lettermen, headlined by senior Doc Fultz. Fultz, a 6-foot-3, 230 lb, catcher hit .302 with two doubles and 19 RBIs last season.
“Doc’s a strong guy behind the plate,” Godfrey said. “He’s a dedicated worker, who should be a run producer in the middle of our lineup. He will also pitch this spring.”
To round out the senior class, Shane Becker and Dylan Lee will be staples in the infield. Becker was a two-way player last year, compiling a 4.08 ERA over 12 innings on the mound while hitting .228 with two doubles, a homer, and six RBI at the plate. Lee hit .195 with a triple and 11 RBI.
“Shane will be a starter in the infield,” Godfrey said. “He’s got good hands, good tools, and we’re counting on him to score runs for us this spring. He will also be in the mix pitching. Dylan started on the infield last year. He’s a strong worker, who improved with the bat over off season.”
Other contributors include juniors Kaden Carter, Brett Fullerton, and Colton Smith and sophomores Ian O’Malley and Trason Vogt.
Carter started on the infield part-time last year with a chance to earn a full-time role as an infielder and pitcher. After a standout JV spring last year, Fullerton will compete for a varsity spot in the outfield and at catcher. Godfrey described Smith as a solid all-around player, who will vie for regular time in the infield.
For the sophomore class, O’Malley started in the outfield, at first base, and got innings on the bump as a freshman. Godfrey said he’s got a bright future, expecting him to be a solid contributor on the mound and offensively. Vogt, who is athletic and is expected to be in the starting rotation and outfield, started several games last year.
“We’ll need our returners to play and lead at a high level,” Godfrey said. “If this happens and our young guys can continue to develop within our system, this could be a rewarding year. We take pride in bringing energy to the field every day in our preparation and having fun competing.”
Carthage opens the season at Cassville as part of a doubleheader on Sat., Mar. 18.
