Sarcoxie baseball has struggled over the last couple of seasons, but coach Russell Ellis sees the positives in those trials.
“Our teams biggest strength is our ability to handle tough situations. The last two years we have struggled and built up mental toughness,” Ellis said. “I have told them already this year that all of those moments and breakdowns have helped us. It gave us opportunities to grow and learn. As a team we will look to those strengths and hopefully win those close games we let slip away in the past.”
The good news is that only one player in Davin Conway graduated from last year’s team.
The key returning players start with juniors Hunter Byers (P/OF), Brice Endicott (IF/P), Nate Ogle (OF/P) and Chris Korff (P). Byers was the team’s top hitter last year with 19 total hits and 17 RBI. Ogle chipped in 13 hits while Endicott at 12 total hits.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
The returning sophomores include: Hayden Kisling (IF/P), Nate Baldwin (C) and Gage Weist (IF) . Kisling racked up 15 hits with seven RBI last season as a freshman. Baldwin got to double digits in RBI with 10.
Senior Colby Davis will be a newcomer to the diamond after moving in last summer. He contributed on the football field last fall and will be at shortstop and pitcher this spring.
Sarcoxie is still young, but that experience should pay dividends in the win column this season.
“My expectations for this year will be higher than ever. We have played a lot of young kids these last two years and look to get back in the conference race. Our freshman and sophomores are now sophomores and juniors which will aid our ability to compete. I look for us to be competitive in every game. Hopefully we will keep games close and have a chance to come out on top,” Ellis said.
Sarcoxie opens the season on Mar. 16 at home against Golden City.
