By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Greenfield Wildcats have good reason to dream big this season.
The Wildcats went 8-1 in the Spring River Valley conference and finished 14-5 overall, losing to Hurley in the district championship. Hurley would advance to the Final Four in Class 1.
“We have high expectations for the upcoming season and have set goals to win a conference and district championship,” said Coach Nick Engleman. “We feel we have unfinished business in both areas and we don’t want to take the season for granted.”
Greenfield lost three difference-makers to graduation, notably Jalen Roby. Roby was an all-state infielder and a stellar athlete and leader, now competing at Evangel University. He averaged an impressive .523 at the plate and put up a 2.54 ERA and had 22 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Roy Beeson, all-conference first baseman, “was a competitor and came up big, time and time again,” per his coach. His big hits gave him a .363 average and his positive attitude also aided his team. Collin Allen was a solid outfielder for the Wildcats who added competitive plate appearances, good defense, and a high baseball IQ.
Despite key losses, the Wildcats will return an experienced squad rife with seniors.
“The seniors have been part of a successful time period in Greenfield athletics and want to finish off their careers in the right way,” said Coach Engleman. “The underclassman are buying in as well and understand that we have unfinished business to take care of and that means hard work every day.”
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
Senior Sawyer Dodd returns after a big junior season, where he averaged .561 at the plate and 2.57 on the mound. The first team all-state catcher is a talented hard worker who is motivated to aim for the postseason.
Hunter Jeffreys threw several great innings and was a tough out at the plate in 2017, hitting .350 with a 2.48 ERA. The senior was named an honorable mention all-state pitcher and first team all-district utility player.
Colin White, senior, made huge strides at the plate last year. He averaged .396 with 25 hits, put up a 3.38 ERA, and was named to the second team all-state and first team all-district teams in the outfield.
Centerfielder Marcus Wright is another senior who was named to the all-conference team, utility, so his versatility will once again aid the Wildcats. “He has a great speed and a plus arm that is good at all levels,” said Coach Engleman. Wright hit .321 last season.
Dawson Wimer is the final returning senior. He was competitive at the plate last year and played third base, also improving at fielding.
The junior class includes Gage Burns (1.88 ERA, .245 batting), an honorable mention all-conference pitcher, and Trenton Wilson, who spot started last year and is skilled in the field. Sophomores Blade Welch and Levi Matthews also return with experience. Welch is a tough competitor and utility player, and Matthews will aim to start in the outfield.
Greenfield welcomes back Caden Sims, a sophomore transfer who spent his freshman season at Clever, where he hit .279 and slugged 19 RBIs. He will help on the mound and at the plate. Another new face to varsity is sophomore Chase Daniel, who has been improving his game and is expected to have quality at-bats this spring. Classmate Daunte Stafford is speedy with a strong arm and will compete for playing time in the outfield. Junior Brandon Matthews should see some time at the plate and has some extra base power as well.
Greenfield’s personal theme last year was “work wins,” a mantra they will keep in mind while they work toward a fourth straight championship appearance in a competitive district. This time, they want to be sure to leave the field with a title.
The Wildcats kick off their season with the Lamar Classic, then host Golden City March 22.
