By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Expectations are high in Halfway heading into the 2018 season.
The Cardinals finished the 2017 campaign with a 13-9 record, falling 7-1 in the Class 1 state quarterfinals to Hurley.
“2017 was a fun one for the Halfway Cardinals team, student body and community,” said head coach Chip Weeg. “We are excited about the 2018 season.”
If Halfway hopes to make another deep postseason run, it must first replace three departed seniors in first baseman Justin Rovenstine, second baseman/pitcher Carl Ackels and catcher Cody Westfall.
While those departed seniors will be missed, Halfway’s roster will be deep and experienced this season with eight starters returning.
A quartet of seniors are set to lead the Cardinals, including all-state 1st team selection Dallas Dodd (OF/P), all-state 2nd team Caleb Gallivan (C/P), Kody Agee (DH/2B) and Ben Barham (OF).
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Dodd (.485, 28 RBI, 8 SB, 2.21 ERA) has spent the offseason working on being a pitcher, rather than just a thrower. Gallivan (.373, 14 RBI, 12 SB, 1.94 ERA) has developed as a leader on the field and is emerging as a quality pitcher.
“We have a great core of seniors that should provide excellent leadership on and off the
Field,” Weeg said. “I think we have a chance to have a great season and go far in the postseason.”
Junior shortstop Hayden McCarthy (.571, 32 RBI, 14 SB) is an exceptional athlete and has a great glove and arm. The 1st team all-state selection will give the Cardinals another arm in the rotation this season. McCarthy is joined in the starting lineup by fellow classmates Kody Jenskins (3B), Ryan Gallivan (OF/P) and Jarrett Rovenstine (OF).
“Coming off a good season last year, we look to improve every area and be a more
complete team this year,” Weeg said. “We have great senior leadership and a talented junior class.”
Sophomore Blake Phillips (1B) started a number of games as a freshman last season and will be a big contributor for the Cardinals in 2018.
Halfway also has high hopes for a pair of impact newcomers to the varsity roster.
Freshman Trenton and Trey McCarthy will help the team at second base and catcher, respectively.
“Our strength this season will be our pitching and defense,” Weeg said.” That’s what I think will give us a chance to win another district championship and, hopefully, go further in the postseason than we did last year.”
Halfway opens up its season March 17 at Skyline.
