As the Mansfield Lions prepare for the 2017 season, they do so without a familiar face in the dugout.
For over three decades, Missouri Sports Hall of Fame coach Doug Jones shared his love for the game of baseball, spending most of that time with Mansfield. While Jones passed in late January of this year following a bout with cancer, his competitive spirit and coaching philosophy remain alive and well on the field named in his honor.
Assistant coaches Nate Moore and Gary Greene continue Jones’s legacy, which includes 22 district titles, six state semifinal appearances and back-to-back state championships in 1995 and 1996.
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“After the loss of Coach Jones, the goal is to keep the same high expectations that he ingrained into all of us,” Moore said. “After seeing the fight he went through, the team is ready to fight with that same tenacity.”
Mansfield looks to follow up last season’s 23-13 season and Class 2 District 10 championship with another postseason run in 2017. After compiling a 16-0 fall record with strong pitching performances, the Lions have reason to be optimistic.
“The depth of our pitching was a surprise in the spring, and something that we used to our advantage this fall,” Moore said. “If everyone stays healthy, we have an opportunity to have a successful season.”
With William Wylie representing the team’s only 2016 graduate, Mansfield’s roster is deep, talented and experienced.
Three seniors and four juniors lead the Lion roster, chock full of dual threats at the plate and on the mound.
Senior Mason Roy (C/P) hit .383 during the fall campaign and finished with an ERA of 0.58. The solid defensive catcher gives the Lions tremendous speed on the bases.
Senior Jonah Williamson (SS/P) hit .388 with 0.38 ERA. Williamson, a great hitter and defender, is the team’s two-time co-MVP.
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Senior Sean Neal continues the trend, hitting .381 at the plate and notching an ERA of 1.40 on the mound. Considered an ace for Mansfield, Neal led the pitching staff with 35 strikeouts in 25 innings this fall.
The junior class is deep and fills out much of the varsity lineup.
Junior Spencer Greene (INF/P), the other two-time MVP on the roster, hit .550 in the fall and tallied a 0.77 ERA.
Devin Kingery, a junior, tied for the team lead in RBIs, driving in 16 runs in 12 games for the Lions.
Junior Jordan Evans provides Mansfield with yet another quality arm, striking out 32 batters in 15 innings this fall, with an ERA of 1.40. A potential difference-maker on the mound with an above-average fastball, Evans also hit .378 with 13 RBIs.
Junior Crayton Henry hit .457 this fall and led the team in triples with four. Another junior, Jacob Gray, hit .462 this fall with an OPS of 1.031.
With pitching depth to burn, Moore looks to exploit Mansfield’s advantage this season.
“Pitching is our biggest strength, as we have five to six solid arms on the mound,” Moore said. “Our top four pitchers all have big game experience and provide a strong nucleus for the team.”
Impact newcomers include junior outfielder James Lansdown and sophomore infielder Payton Watterson.
Mansfield’s schedule features a host of competitive teams in the Summit Conference and Class 2 District 10, including Norwood, Gainesville, Conway, Hartville and Seymour.
“Everyone on our schedule is just as important as the next and we look to approach it that way,” Moore said. “Coach Jones would never look past his next opponent, and made sure each team was given the respect they deserved.”
Mansfield opens the season March 17 in the Marshfield Tournament against Mexico.
