By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The 2017 version of the Mt. Vernon High School baseball team featured an up-and-down team with many peaks, but could not minimize the dreaded valleys.
Mt. Vernon, who suffered a first round exit in districts with a loss to Reeds Spring, compiled a 11-12 overall record last spring and finished in the middle of the pack in the front-loaded Big 8 Conference (3-4 in conference play) once again.
“Last year our players competed hard and lost some close games,” head coach Nick Swillum said. “Our early exit from districts was disappointing, but I was proud of the way we competed throughout the season.”
With a new season, comes turnover and the Mountaineers graduated four seniors from last year’s team, including All-Conference players Brett Campbell and Cole Duncan. Mount Vernon also loses Garrett Hadlock and Dustin Hearne to graduation as well.
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“Brett was a leader for us on and off the field,” Swillum said. “He had good speed, was a great competitor, and great baseball talent. Cole had an amazing year on the mound. Garrett was one of the best defensive third basemen we have had come through our program. Dustin was one of the hardest working players we had a year ago.”
However, Mt. Vernon does return a total of six lettermen as well as four starters to the diamond, headlined by senior Chance Fenton. The shortstop saw time as a pitcher with a 1-2 record and 5.25 ERA, and excelled at the dish with a team-high .418 average with 27 total hits, nine RBI, and 14 stolen bases.
“He’s a very strong defensive shortstop with a lot of athletic ability,” Swillum said. “Excellent switch hitter.”
Seniors Ty Boswell (center field/pitcher) and Jayden Buttram (catcher) as well as junior Will Boswell (third baseman) round out the starters.
The senior Boswell had a 3.94 ERA on the bump last year while he’s looking to improve upon a .194 batting average as a junior. Buttram is also hoping to see an offensive uptick after hitting .172 last spring while the junior Boswell recorded a 4.45 ERA as a pitcher and collected 20 total hits for a .260 clip at the plate.
“Ty is an excellent defensive outfielder who has tremendous offensive potential,” Swillum said. “Jayden is an excellent defensive catcher with power potential at the plate. Will is a very strong defensive third baseman with a lot of athletic ability and power.”
The remaining returnees include Ethan Johnston and Colby Johnston, who each saw limited varsity action last year with the expectation to compete for everyday roles this spring.
Not only that, Swillum listed a number of top newcomers, including senior Javeon Perry (outfielder), and juniors Arthur Henry (infielder) and Patrick Lester (outfielder). He also listed six sophomores in Cale Miller (first baseman), Toby Huver (outfielder), Malachi Hule (infielder), Zach Jones (outfielder), Quinn Price (infielder), and Treston Shipman (infielder).
Perry, Henry, and Lester will vie for time on the infield, mound, and in the outfield, respectively. Miller, Hale, and Price will compete for jobs in the infield and look to get innings on the bump while Huver and Jones are poised to receive time in the outfield and on the mound. Shipman will also look to compete for time in the infield.
“I expect us to be extremely competitive in the conference and in our district this season,” Swillum said. “We have a number of good, quality young arms that will help us on the mound. Our pitching should be good. Defensively, we will be as good or better than a year ago.
“If we can put up some offensive numbers this year we will see a lot of success.”
Mt. Vernon will open the season at Springfield Catholic on March 16.
