By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The 2018 campaign was another transition year for the Cassville Wildcats baseball program, ending the spring with a 5-16 record (1-7 in Big 8 Conference play) under second-year head coach Brandon Cobb.
Cobb attributed last year’s struggles to a young team which often had troubles finishing games.
“But the kids always kept fighting and not giving up,” Cobb said.
That said, things are certainly looking up for the Wildcats as they head into the 2019 season.
From last year’s team, Cassville’s roster is expected to feature eight returning starters and 10 total lettermen, headlined by second-team All-Conference honoree Bowen Preddy.
Preddy, a two-way player, led the team in hits (33), stolen bases (23), home runs (one), RBI (17), triples (two), wins (2-0), ERA (2.45) and saves (one) as a sophomore last year.
“Bowen will be our leader on and off the field,” Cobb said. “He has been putting in a ton of work this offseason to get bigger and faster. He will be our shortstop again this season and will be one of our best pitchers as well. He will bat at the top of the lineup, so we can utilize his speed.
“I expect him to have another great season and develop as an even better leader than he already is. I am very excited to watch him grow.”
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Junior Jarrod Wallace, who was named an all-conference honorable mention as a sophomore, is also expected to make an impact for the Wildcats. Wallace comes off a season in which he hit .322 at the plate and posted an 3.89 ERA on the mound.
Cobb said he will be a middle of the order bat and continue to be one of the primary arms.
After not having a single senior last year, Cassville will have four seniors in 2019, including Peyton Stringer, Mason Hendrix, Camden Roller and Evan Kessinger.
Cobb is looking for Stringer to have a bounce-back senior year after hitting .333 just two years ago. He will also be a relief pitcher. Hendrix will hit in the middle of the order – DH and play some first base as well.
Cobb said Camden Roller makes great plays in the outfield and is expected to split time between relief pitching and spot-start duties on the mound this year. Kessinger is more of a newcomer, but is expected to compete for an outfield spot.
Juniors Carson Roller, Dane Martin, and Jonny Medina, as well as sophomore Zac Acheson, round out the returnees for the Wildcats.
Carson Roller is expected to be another middle of the order anchor for Cassville and Cobb said will be one of the top four arms in the rotation. Acheson had a big year as a freshman, taking over as the ace of the pitching staff and will have even more opportunities in 2019.
Cobb listed Kade Hayward (junior), Devon Bates (junior), Hunter Chasteen (sophomore) and Lane Mitchell (sophomore) as the top newcomers who could get a taste of varsity action at some point this spring.
“We have been young the past couple years and while we are still pretty young going into this season, I am excited to see how much we have grown as a team from last year,” Cobb said. “We have pretty much everyone back, so we kind of know our roles a little bit better.
“We have great competition for different starting positions as well. We are sticking to our philosophy that we have had since I have been here and that is to play our best baseball at the end of the season.”
Cassville opens the season at Springfield, AR against East Newton on March 15.
