By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Following a pair of 11-win seasons, Mt. Vernon hopes its recent upward trend continues.
The Mountaineers showed improvements in 2019 with a record of 15-11 in the new, highly-competitive Big 8 Conference.
For longtime head coach Nick Swillum, the conference results were a mixed bag.
“We struggled through the Big 8 East Division finishing 1-5, but competed well vs. West opponents finishing 5-1. Our record vs. Big 8 West opponents got us a first round bye as the No. 2 seed in our district. Unfortunately, we fell short vs. Carl Junction, and our season ended in the semifinal round.”
After losing only a pair of starters from last year’s squad, Swillum and the Mountaineers have reason for optimism.
Graduates Will Boswell, Patrick Lester and Arthur Henry depart the program.
Boswell, an all-conference and all-district selection, hit .320 with 24 RBIs and six stolen bases last season. He also compiled a 5-3 record on the mound with a 1.53 ERA.
“Will had his best season on the mound and was a leader for us on the field and in the weight room,” Swillum said. “He hit three hole for us and was a tough out. We will miss him as a player and a person on our team.”
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Mt. Vernon returns a host of talent, led by a quartet of seniors in Quinn Price, Colby Johnston, Cale Miller and Zach Jones.
Price, an all-conference and all-district selection, hit .351 with 25 RBIs and two home runs. He also finished with a 5-3 record on the mound with a 4.31 ERA.
“Power arm with breaking pitches to go along with it,” Swillum said. “Quinn hits with power from the left side.”
Johnston hit .381 with 13 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. His pitching record was 5-2-1 with an ERA of 3.23.
“Excellent at all phases of the game,” Swillum said. “Colby pitches for us, plays a great shortstop and hits in the top of the order.”
Miller, an all-conference honoree, hit .288 with 20 RBIs, three home runs and nine stolen bases.
“Outstanding defensive left-handed first baseman,” Swillum said of Miller. “Provides power in the middle of the order. Should have his arm back on the mound this year after a late-season basketball injury a year ago.”
Jones hit .244 with 19 RBIs, two home runs and 11 stolen bases. He also compiled an 0-2 record on the mound with five saves and a 1.88 ERA.
“Great defensive outfielder with a strong arm,” Swillum said of Jones. “Provides power in the middle of the line-up and has been our closer on the mound.”
Junior Rafe Darter also received all-conference and all-district honors last season, hitting .410 with 13 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.
“Great speed in the outfield,” Swillum said of Darter. “Hits for average at the top of our order. Will see more mound time this year. He’s a lefty.”
Junior Lane Pendleton and senior Tresten Shipman round out Mt. Vernon’s returning players.
In addition to a solid returning core, the Mountaineers welcome several new faces to the varsity roster, including Toby Huver, Stetson Moulds, Brady Brown, Tristan Jones and Nathan Lester.
“I expect us to be extremely competitive in the conference and in our district this season,” Swillum said. “We have a number of good, quality arms that will help us on the mound. Our pitching should be good, defensively we will be as good or better than we ever have been. Offensively, we have power potential and speed. It should be an interesting season.”
Mt. Vernon opens its season Monday, March 23, in the Clever ROTB Tournament.
