By John Miller (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After finishing 16-8 last year, including a 3-1 record in the Mark Twain Conference, the New Covenant Academy Warriors have high expectations this spring. Seven starters and 10 total lettermen return, giving the Warriors plenty of reason for optimism.
“We should be in the mix for a Mark Twain championship and, hopefully, for a postseason run,” said coach John Hartley. “The pieces are in place for a very solid season with hard work and effort.”
Four key pieces have graduated, however, and they won’t be easy to replace. First Team All-State, All-District, and All-Conference selection CJ Fernelius is gone after a stellar senior season that saw him hit .345 with 22 RBIs while anchoring the pitching staff from behind the plate. He’s now playing collegiately at Evangel.
“He’s been our catcher in all three years of existence,” Hartley said. “This will be a new look behind the plate this spring with CJ graduated.”
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Another collegiate signee is Noah Phipps, who is now playing at Hannibal-LaGrange. He was a .325 batter last year with 23 total hits, 15 RBI, and 9 stolen bases and was named First Team All-Conference.
“His 100 percent effort in every game could always be counted on,” Hartley said.
New Covenant also graduated All-Conference honorees Ben Cannefax and Corbin Morgan. Cannefax posted a 5-1 record on the mound with 2 saves and a 2.98 ERA. Morgan hit .305 at the plate with 13 RBIs and six stolen bases.
“Ben was a fierce competitor on the mound and leaves a hole to be replaced in the rotation,” Hartley said. “Corbin was our spiritual leader the past two years and will be missed.”
Fortunately, the Warriors return a strong bunch that includes top pitcher and middle-of-the-order hitter in junior Ryan Carmack, who was named First Team All-Conference and All-District last spring. On the mound last year, he finished 3-4 with a 2.10 ERA while batting .361 at the plate with 6 doubles, 2 triples, 26 total hits, 16 RBIs, and 6 stolen bases.
Also returning is four-year starter in centerfield Alan Ramsey and first baseman/pitcher Max Breite. Ramsey, a senior, is the No. 2 arm in the rotation and is left-handed. He went 2-1 with a save and a 2.45 ERA last year while batting .283 at the dish. Breite, a junior, went 2-0 on the mound with a 0.89 ERA and batted .271 with 16 total hits and 9 RBIs.
New Covenant also returns junior shortstop Timmy Smith, junior outfielder Ryan Roders, and junior catcher Cam Altena.
“Timmy has strong coverage at short with his range and his arm,” Hartley said. “Ryan is an excellent outfielder and is moving to the top of the lineup with his good on-base percentage and baseball awareness. Cam is a versatile athlete and is moving behind the plate. He will be counted on as a run producer.”
Last season, Smith batted .256 at the plate with 15 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. Rodgers hit .279 with 14 RBIs and 8 stolen bases, and Altena was a .366 hitter with 15 total hits and 10 RBIs.
Newcomers to the team include senior Landon Bilyeu, a transfer from Spokane and junior Harrison Hatcher, a transfer from Nixa.
Now a junior, Tedd Fraser returns to the team, as well. He had one start as a freshman and threw a no-hitter. Sophomores Graham Breite and Conner Dunn are also newcomers and will be battling for spots on varsity this season.
