By Shelley Ebbrecht/For OzarksSportsZone.com
The Strafford Indians are looking for a little redemption when they return to the field this spring.
The team took second place in the Mid-Lakes Conference and was knocked out of the district semifinals at the hands of Conway, finishing 16-8 overall.
“We struggled a bit offensively toward the end of the year,” said head coach Shane Pierce. “We finished second in our conference behind a senior-laden Stockton club. In Districts, we lost a heartbreaker on a walk-off three-run homerun in the bottom of the seventh to lose to Conway 4-3.”
A little senior-heavy themselves, Strafford looks to replace six starters lost to graduation from last year’s squad, including two top batters and a key pitcher.
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Blake Lutgen led the team with a .356 batting average, 25 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. Fourteen of his 26 hits were for extra bases and he is now playing at Valparaiso University. Chanler Collins batted .326 with 28 hits, 16 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Wyatt Eubanks went 3-0 on the mound with 2 saves and a 2.305 ERA. On offense, he hit .281 with 25 hits, 15 RBI and 16 stolen bases.
“Last year we had an awesome group of seniors who competed each and every day,” Pierce said.
Pierce is entering his 17th year at the helm for the Indians and said he believes that pitching will be the team’s strength this season.
“With our top two starters returning from a year ago and getting better, we should compete well from a pitching standpoint,” he said.
Sophomore Tony Caldwell went 3-3 in the pitcher’s circle last season and ended with an impressive 1.76 ERA, earning All-Mid-Lakes Honorable Mention.
“He is a developing pitcher who continues to improve every day,” Pierce said. “He is a hardworking throwback baseball player who is at the field every day to improve his game.”
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Drew Stoll, junior, was 4-2 with 1 save and a 3.21 ERA. He was named Second Team All-Mid-Lakes pitcher and second team all-district infielder, proving his versatility on the diamond.
“He can play any infield position as well as the outfield and is also one of our top pitchers,” said Pierce. “Drew is very athletic and will be a key to our success.”
Elijah Perkins, senior, has the best offensive stats of the returning lettermen. He hit .253 last year with 20 hits, 15 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Senior Austin Tipton split time in the outfield last year and will also help the Indians on the mound this season.
Wyatt Maples, sophomore, looks to replace four-year starting catcher Chanler Collins behind the plate this year. Sophomore Dillon Turner will compete for a starting role on the mound after going 4-0 with 1 save for the Strafford JV last year. James Oddo, junior, was the leading hitter for JV last year with a .455 batting average and looks to compete for a spot in the varsity outfield.
“I am excited about the upcoming season,” Pierce said. “We have four big spots that are going to have to be filled, and could possibly be filled by underclassmen. We have a talented young group of baseball players coming into the program.”
The Indians will take to the field March 17 in the Fair Grove/Pleasant Hope Tournament before hosting Skyline in their home opener March 27. Strafford will host the Southwest Missouri Wood Bat Classic April 17-22 and will take on rival Fair Grove Eagles on the road April 27.
Clever, Conway, Fair Grove, Forsyth and Spokane join Strafford in the Class 3 District 11 field this year. Clever will host the district tournament.
“I believe that our district will be as tough as there is in the state in Class 3,” Pierce said. “It will definitely be a toss-up as to who is playing well at the end of the year, as to who will win our district. It should be fun to watch.”
