By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
A new face will be patrolling the Ozark dugout this season, as Justin Sundlie takes over following Mike Essick’s retirement.
Sundlie, who has 12 year experience coaching baseball, previously held the head coaching position at Spokane.
“I have really been trying to get to know them and establish expectations so when the season rolls around we are ready to go with fewer distractions,” Sundlie said of his new team. “It’s also a clean slate for every player on the team and I let them know this early.”
Sundlie’s first order of business will be finding replacements for a talented group of graduated seniors.
All five of Ozark’s graduates are playing college baseball this spring, including Jake Skaggs (Missouri Southern University), Riley Sundlie (College of the Ozarks), Seth Glossip (Evangel University), Eric Scott (Evangel University) and Cade Holmes (Mineral Area Community College).
The Tigers return just one player from 2019 in senior pitcher Hunter Tennison.
“Hunter Tennison is our only returner that played two seasons ago,” Sundlie said. “He will be our number one on the mound and has the ability to keep us competitive in big games. He is a three-sport athlete and has had tremendous success in both football and wrestling this year. His competitive mindset and work ethic will be a good example for others.”
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Six other seniors will join Tennison on the roster this season, including shortstop Holden Sabor, utility/pitcher Caleb Casto, catcher Colton Casteel, utility Garrett Dotson, pitcher Holton Miller and infielder Logan Baade.
Pitcher Brody Baumann, infielder/pitcher Kannon Little, pitcher/outfielder Devyn Wright and outfielder/pitcher Greydon Miller are juniors that will also compete for playing time this season.
With so many new faces on the varsity roster, Ozark’s lineup will likely be a work in progress early on.
“Because of Covid, our whole team is newcomers,” Sundlie said. “Most of these guys would have had their first varsity experience last year as juniors. Playing time will be earned by what they do this year and not what they’ve done in the past. We have some seniors that have naturally stepped into the leadership role but it’s hard to say who your leaders really are when you haven’t even played yet.”
While roles are still being established, Sundlie is confident his team’s talent and work ethic will pay dividends down the stretch if things come together quickly.
“I feel like we have an athletic group of kids that could be competitive both defensively and offensively but it all starts with pitching,” Sundlie said. “That needs to become our strength if we are going to compete at a level that will give us a chance to win our conference.”
Despite the host of questions heading into the season, Sundlie also understands Ozark’s rich tradition and high expectations each and every season in a difficult Central Ozarks Conference.
“Coach Essick established a great culture here at Ozark the last 28 years,” Sundlie said. “Expectations are always high and this year is no different. For us to be competitive in the COC we will have to constantly improve throughout the season. Our practices will be very competitive with everyone trying to get varsity innings.”
Following a March 13 jamboree at U.S. Ballpark with Nixa and Rogersville, Ozark will open its season at home March 19 against Poplar Bluff.
