By Brock Sisney (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
ANDERSON — Entering his second season at the helm of the baseball program, McDonald County head coach Kevin Burgi did not sugarcoat it when asked for players who have a chance to crack the varsity lineup.
“We lost seven key contributors to last year’s team,” he said. “Everyone has a chance to crack a varsity lineup. Our practices will be competitive. We can’t wait.”
The Mustangs do return starters Cole Martin, Levi Helm, Kameron Hopkins and Omar Manuel from a unit that finished 10-18 overall last season. McDonald County put together a 4-3 conference record and second place finish in the Big 8 West, but the Mustangs did not finish strong with five straight losses and a 1-9 record over their final 10 games. Their season ended on a 6-1 loss to Joplin in the Class 5, District 11 tournament.
Manuel drove in 12 runs his junior season, Hopkins batted just over .300 and collected 19 hits with six doubles, and Martin and Helm both enjoyed their moments during their freshman seasons. Martin collected 18 hits, five RBI and five stolen bases, while Helm went 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA on the mound and his 13 hits at the plate were highlighted by four doubles and one home run and contributed to seven RBI.
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Senior pitcher Cade Smith missed last season with an arm injury and he returns for his senior season. Smith served a key role in the Mustangs’ pitching rotation his sophomore year and he contributed to a 14-win season. The Mustangs have notched 14 wins in three of their previous five seasons, but their 14-12 record two seasons ago marks one of only two winning seasons in the last 10.
Other returning players from last season include Rylee Boyd, Sampson Boles, Koby McCallister, Jackson Behm and Nevin Price.
Burgi listed a “very probable” starting lineup of Martin at catcher, Manuel third base, Hopkins first base, Helm left field, Behm center field, Junior Eliam designated hitter, Boles right field, Dylan Igasmar shortstop and Cross Dowd second base. Helm, Boyd, Smith and Hopkins form the probable starting rotation with Parker Toney, Boles, Price, McCallister and Behm all more possibilities in the arms race.
“Our goal is to be playing our best baseball by the end of the season,” Burgi said. “We look to continue to build our offensive philosophy and mature as a group at the plate. From a defensive standpoint, our goals are to dominate the routine play and fill up the strike zone.
“The biggest thing we have noticed (this offseason) is our guys have bought into an offensive identity. I think that they saw how hard it was to score runs last year and have done a lot of work to find more barrel.
“The biggest key to a successful season is how our group accepts their roles. We will be asking a lot of people to step up and do different jobs. If our guys can embrace their role, no matter how big or small, then we will have a very memorable year.”
Two players and one coach definitely experienced something very memorable between seasons.
Burgi, Martin and Toney each participated in the Premier Baseball Junior National Championship this past summer in Joplin. They were on the championship-winning Southwest Missouri All-Stars team that brought together 20 players from Joplin, Carl Junction, Webb City, Neosho, Seneca and McDonald County. The All-Stars rattled off eight victories in five days.
“It was a great experience,” Burgi said. “I think Parker gained a lot of confidence from the whole ordeal. He had a very good start for the team and was a key part of the championship. Cole has a great tournament and grew a lot as a hitter. I think it was really good for him to see elite arm talent.
“For me as a coach, it reminded me how fun it is to watch players celebrate winning championships. I had a blast and it will be something I always remember.”
McDonald County opens its 2020 season March 20 in the Harrison Tournament.
