By Dana Harding
While last season’s sports cancellations caused plenty of chaos, teams with plenty of depth and talent have been able to adjust, adapt and push through heading into the 2021 campaign.
Count Nixa among them.
Head coach Jason Daugherty, now in his fourth year at the helm, believes the Eagles are in a prime position to once again compete for another postseason run and has his team focused on a state title.
“Other than our players not getting the chance to compete for conference, district and possibly a state title, I think our program has overcome [the cancellation] as well as we could have,” Daugherty said. “I think we all want to win a state championship this year. Our top guys played together this summer and performed very well against good competition, so I think they are ready to step into varsity action.”
Graduated seniors Joe Reid, Ace Akers, Evann Long, Brayden Leggett, Sal Scalise and Jake Jost move on from the program with Reid (Indiana University) and Long (Pittsburg State University) continuing their respective baseball careers at the collegiate level.
“Ace was the [Central Ozarks Conference] pitcher of the year in 2019 and Joe was one of the top catchers in the state of Missouri,” Daugherty said. “Along with the other four, we would have had a very deep and talented lineup.”
Despite the graduation losses, the Eagles return plenty of experience and talent this season in pitcher/first baseman Isaac Mitchell (SR), catcher/first baseman Jaret Nelson (JR), infielder Ryan Retone (JR), outfielder/pitcher Sam Russo (JR), pitcher/outfielder Blake Bridges (SR), pitcher Brody Sanders (SR) and pitcher/outfielder Keith Piepmeier (JR).
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Mitchell has committed to the University of Arkansas, and Nelson is currently drawing D1 interest, according to Daugherty.
“Mitchell has been one of the top pitchers in the area for several years and may become an offensive threat this year,” Daugherty said. “Nelson is as good of an all-around player as there is in the area — I don’t know of another player in the area I would rank ahead of him.”
In addition to its returning core, a host of varsity newcomers will challenge for playing time and impact roles including infielder/pitcher Quinn Gundelfinger (SR transfer), outfielder/pitcher Evan Johnston (SR), outfielder Alek Johnson (SR), pitcher/outfielder Hardy Dougan (JR), pitcher/infielder Blake Pendergrass (JR), infielder Jerris Thornton (SR), infielder John Gholson (JR) and catcher/first baseman Jackson Lock (JR).
Nixa’s pitching will once again be a focal point this season, with Mitchell set to anchor a rock-solid staff.
“I think our pitching staff will be one of our strengths this season,” Daugherty said. “It’s as deep as I ever remember having, and I have been coaching for quite a while. There are two things we really need to have happen in order for us to win a state championship. First, we need Isaac Mitchell to stay healthy and be the dominant pitcher he is capable of being. Second, we need one or two more guys to really step up and become dominant No. 2 and No. 3 pitchers.”
Although the Eagles should benefit from a quality stable of arms, Daugherty doesn’t expect his well-rounded team to live or die based on mound performance alone.
“Even though pitching depth is our strength, I don’t think we are weak in the other areas,” Daugherty said. “I think our defense will be very solid and our offense will be able to score runs in a lot of different ways. After losing several good sticks last year, I didn’t expect to be as strong at the plate this year; however, I’m not sure that will be the case. Several of our guys have looked good this off-season, and I think we will have several options. At this level, you need to have threats at every spot in the order, and I think we can do that.”
While Nixa has definite state title aspirations this season, Daugherty also realizes outcomes can quickly change during a season full of unknowns.
“You never know what will happen during a season,” Daugherty said. “I may be completely wrong, and we may end up being awful; however, I don’t think that will happen. Obviously, Mitchell has the pedigree of a dominant pitcher, but he is coming off injury, so you never know how he will bounce back. We have a couple of pitchers who could emerge as solid No. 2s, but just how good will they be and will they stay healthy? Those are the biggest question marks entering the season.”
Following a March 13 jamboree at U.S. Ballpark with Ozark and Rogersville, Nixa opens its season March 20 at home against Republic.
