By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Last year, Hartville had a first-year head coach and a new-look lineup.
Not deterred, the Eagles repeated as district champions.
With all but two starters back, bigger things could be ahead in 2019.
“Last year, we had a lot of unknowns,” said Eagles coach Clint Horn. “In 2017, we graduated a bunch of seniors. (In 2018), we had a lot of young guys on the team with little or no varsity experience. By the end of (2018), everything was clicking for us and we put together a nice little run to win our district.”
Hartville finished 16-11 overall last spring, its second straight season of 15 or more wins. The Eagles edged Plato 5-4 to win the Class 2 District 9 tournament.
Hartville’s season ended in the Class 2 sectional round with a 9-5 loss against eventual state runner-up Mansfield.
In 2017, Hartville also beat Plato to win its district and lost to Mansfield in sectionals.
The Eagles return seven starters. Speed and pitching will carry Hartville, Horn said.
“We’re excited with it being our second year here and kids having knowledge of our system,” Horn said. “We will rely heavily on our pitching and speed to win us games. We return almost all of our innings on the mound. Offensively, we do not have much power at the plate but we do have speed.”
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Shortstop Holton Simmons sets the tone at the top of Hartville’s lineup. He hit .244 with 12 RBIs and 20 steals last season.
“He had a knee injury in the fall but should be 100 percent by spring,” Horn said. “We expect a big year from Holton.”
Junior Caleb Moore returns as Hartville’s ace pitcher. He went 7-1 last spring with a 2.31 ERA. At the plate, he hit .317.
“Caleb had a spectacular year for us,” Horn said. “He really dominated all spring. We are looking for him to take the next step this spring offensively and hopefully he can build upon his pitching success.”
Joining Simmons and Moore in the infield are three sophomores – catcher Eli Cook, second baseman Ryce Piper and super utilityman Braden Branstetter – along with senior first baseman Stone Mathews.
Cook had 10 RBIs and 12 steals while progressing quickly behind the plate.
“Cook hits at the top of our leader and is a good leader at catcher,” Horn said. “We’re excited to watch him take the next step this spring both behind the plate and offensively.”
Mathews is Hartville’s top returning hitter (.347) and also posted a 1.86 ERA in limited action on the mound.
“Stone will be one of our top four arms on the mound,” Horn said. “He will hit in the middle of our lineup and start once a week for us as pitcher.”
Piper had 10 RBIs and eight steals. The 6’2” Branstetter has played six positions since entering Hartville’s program.
“We’re expecting a breakout season from Ryce,” Horn said. “Braden has some power and we’re hoping for big things from him this spring.”
Senior Luke Goslee will split time between the outfield and mound.
“Luke is one of our top arms as well,” Horn said. “He transitioned from right field to left field this fall and did a good job. We will rely heavily upon him on the mound this season and he will be a middle-of-the-order bat.”
Junior Tucker Dedmon will also switch outfield spots, moving from left field to center field.
“He is a quick, speedy outfielder with a plus arm,” Horn said. “He will also see time on the mound for us.”
Senior Jarrett Calton will also factor into Hartville’s pitching rotation and content for playing time in the field.
“He was one of our top arms last spring,” Horn said. “His record doesn’t show how well he actually pitched. He was starting in the big games and we didn’t score behind him.”
Hartville graduated two starters: center fielder Evan Mathews and third baseman Matt Marco. Mathews tallied 27 steals last season.
“Evan’s speed and knowledge will be greatly missed along with his leadership,” Horn said. “Matt’s attitude and effort will also be missed.”
Three sophomores will are also in the mix: Cody Mahan (OF), Bryce Coday (OF) and Zack Day (P). Horn said Mahan is the fastest player on the team.
“If we can find a way to get on base, we can be aggressive and not have to play base to base,” said Horn, who graduated from Hartville in 2009 and was an all-state pitcher at the school.
Hartville opens the regular season March 15 at home versus Spokane.
