By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The canceled 2020 season hit every program hard, but especially ones like the Logan-Rogersville Wildcats.
With experience, skill and depth across the roster, the Wildcats had big goals in mind.
“We had the makings of a very strong team last spring and really felt like we had a chance for a state run,” said Wildcats coach Casey Ledl. “Even more importantly, that senior group was a fantastic group of kids who had worked extremely hard to keep Logan-Rogersville as a top-level baseball school in Southwest Missouri.
“But, as we talk a lot about with our kids, that’s life and the only thing you can do is roll with it and come back stronger.”
As the Wildcats turn to 2021, the roster remains strong. The biggest challenge: Getting so many new players acclimated to full-time varsity competition.
“We should be a very balanced team. All of our kids have done a great job in the weight room in the offseason,” Ledl said. “We will have some team speed this year that we haven’t had in the past, so that gives an opportunity to do a lot more on the base paths and really play some solid defense. Our pitching staff will be young but possesses a lot of talent.
“After these kids gain more experience, we should be a pretty tough team to play late in the season.”
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
The bar is high. Logan-Rogersville’s had three straight winning seasons (2017-19). The Wildcats enter 2021 gunning for their first district championship since the program won four straight from 2012-15.
A six-player senior class leads the way.
Drew Cornelison (IF/OF/DH) started at DH as a sophomore. The 6’4” Cornelison is also capable of playing the field, and will hit in the middle of the Wildcat’s lineup this year.
Cornelison has signed to play at St. Charles Community College next school year.
Gavin Nally has pitched in the starting rotation and out of the bullpen. As a sophomore, he was also Logan-Rogersville’s top pinch-hitter.
Nally has signed to play at Hannibal-LaGrange.
“Gavin’s a strong hitter who can provide power with runners on base,” Ledl said.
Parker Thiemann was working his way back from injury last year. The 6’6” outfielder has good speed to go with his frame and earned varsity at-bats as a sophomore.
Colin Archer has also battled injuries the last few years. He gives the Wildcats a left-handed option out of the bullpen and at the plate.
“Colin can slot in anywhere in our lineup,” Ledl said.
Colton Burney (2B) is one of the team’s most improved players and gives the Wildcats more flexibility with their lineup. Senior Hunter Wray, a dual-sport athlete who played soccer in the fall, returns in the Wildcats’ outfield.
Logan-Rogersville’s junior class will fill a variety of roles.
Tanner Petersen (IF/P) earned significant playing time as a freshman. He’ll play the infield again and be one of Logan-Rogersville’s starting pitchers.
“Tanner can keep the ball down and has become a ground ball machine,” Ledl said.
Clay Palen (IF/P) gives the Wildcats another left-handed threat in the lineup and on the mound.
Blythe Blakey (IF/P) will look to contribute at a corner field spot and as a regular starting pitcher.
“Blythe had a very good summer on the mound where he had several key wins and innings over some big programs in the area,” Ledl said. “His No. 1 quality is he finds a way to get people out.”
Tanner Cook is an improving hitter and brings speed and defense to the outfield.
Hunter Lewis (DH/1B/P) will look to make an impact as a hitter and relief pitcher.
“He has power and can hit for average at that plate. He will be pushing some returners for at-bats,” Ledl said.
At least three sophomores will get their first taste of spring varsity baseball.
Curry Sutherland is a budding star in the area. The 6’4” sophomore has verbally committed to play at Missouri State.
He’ll be in the Wildcats’ pitching rotation and also hit near the top of the lineup.
“He has a chance to develop his talent and do some big things this spring,” Ledl said.
Catcher Noah Carrow has an ideal frame (5’11”, 210 pounds) for his position. He has a great arm behind the plate and can do damage as a hitter, Ledl said.
“Noah’s an extremely strong sophomore who will compete for our starting catcher spot,” Ledl said. “He can throw with just about anybody. He’s developing strong receiving skills and is a strong gap-to-gap hitter.”
Logan Taylor is a speedy, defensive-minded outfielder. He can cause problems for the defense as a hitter and base runner.
“He can run and has great tracking skills in the outfield to go with that speed,” Ledl said. “He is also an extremely confident hitter.”
The Wildcats lost seven seniors from their 2020 team, four of which are now playing collegiate baseball.
Reed Metz (1B/3B, Tennessee), Thomas Kane (IF/P, Saint Louis University), A.J. Craft (OF/P, Pittsburg State) and Trey McDaniel (1B/P, Evangel) were vital two-way players for the Wildcats.
They projected to be Logan-Rogersville’s top four hitters and would have factored into the Wildcats’ pitching rotation.
“We would have been very deep in all areas,” Ledl said. “These kids brought talent, determination and pride to the field every day. They practiced hard, they played hard and I could not be more proud of the young men they have become.”
Logan-Rogersville graduated additional depth and talent with the likes of Seyth Miranda, Drew Kennell and Owen Christian.
Ledl said the Wildcats had aspirations of making a deep playoff run in 2020.
“We had a lot of experience and talent coming back,” he said. “We really felt like we would be an outstanding team and would have the potential to get back to the playoffs and compete for that state level. It was a major disappointment, to say the least, not being able to spend a (final) year with this exceptional crew.”
Newcomers to watch include the junior duo of Tristan James and JJ O’Neal.
James can multiple spots, but will likely contend for time at first base or designated hitter. He can also come in as a relief pitcher.
O’Neal, the starting quarterback on the school’s football team, brings his speed and athleticism to the diamond. He joined the baseball team last summer and earned playing time as an outfielder and pinch-runner.
“He could be a key contributor for us in changing the game with his speed,” Ledl said.
Behind them, a big sophomore class is showing signs of promise.
Caleb Cole, Torin Trent, Noah Higdon, Sam Rostic and Kellen Marlin provide depth and versatility in the infield. Trent, Marlin and Higdon can also pitch.
Zach Higdon, Logan Cook and Hayden Sircy fill out the outfield. Cooper Martin has good speed at catcher.
“The future of our program is very strong for the next several years,” Ledl said.
Logan-Rogersville competes in a jamboree March 13 at US Ballpark against Ozark and Nixa.
The Wildcats start the regular season with the Lael Leadoff Classic, which runs March 19-25.
Ledl knows the challenges ahead for his young squad.
“We may take a few lumps early, especially playing many upper-tier, state-ranked opponents in various classes and a tough Big 8 schedule,” he said. “I think that will set the stage for us to be pretty good come district time. Our number one goal will always be to get through districts and get into the state playoffs to make a run.
“Historically, whoever wins our side of the conference and the district gets into the final four.”
