By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Following an 18-9 season in 2019 that saw Springfield Catholic claim a district title, the pieces were in place to make another postseason run in 2020.
Unfortunately for the Irish, Covid-19 cancellations removed the season, the senior class and some additional rosters spots.
“We lost some players for this year that we may still have had if they were able to play a season last year, in my opinion,” head coach Courtney Spitz said. “Some of those players just simply decided to go in a different direction and a couple moved away, unfortunately.”
Graduates Gage Goss, Carther Bither, Matthew Pickens, Grant Cline, Ryan Wilbanks, Cameron Soetaert and Ben Gailligos all depart the program.
Goss (Maryville University) and Bither (Lindenwood University) will continue their respective baseball careers as the next level this season.
“All those players provided great play but also great leadership and cultural attributes to our team,” Spitz said. “Tough to replace the three starters and four role players we lost.”
Despite the roster losses, Catholic won’t enter the 2021 season empty-handed. The Irish return a talented quartet of seniors in shortstop/pitcher Jeremy Rader, outfielder/pitcher Colin Davis, first baseman/designated hitter Caden Davis and catcher/first baseman Ryan George.
Rader was an all-state honoree in 2019, and both he and Colin Davis were named to Collegiate Baseball players-to-watch list for Missouri.
Rader will play at Missouri State University next season, while Colin Davis has committed to Butler University. A third senior, Caden Davis, has committed to the University of Indianapolis.
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“All these players have now been with me for four years and they know exactly what to expect when we start our season,” Spitz said. “These are some of the hardest working players I have had the pleasure of coaching.”
Catholic will also look to a talented group of varsity newcomers to fill key roles within its roster including infielder Cole Leonhart (JR), infielder/pitcher Weston Cline (JR), outfielder/pitcher Danny White (SO), infielder/pitcher Coleman Morrison (SO), catcher/pitcher Logan Ripper (SO), infielder/pitcher Ben Smith (SO) and infielder/pitcher Hans Kaiser (SO).
Morrison and Smith have verbally committed to play for the University of Missouri.
“All these players have been playing high caliber baseball and will play significant innings at the varsity level,” Spitz said. “I think they will make the adjustment quickly to this level. Pressure situations early in the season will help them grow quickly.”
“Our team’s biggest strength is our offensive capability,” Spitz said. “We will have a very strong offensive team. I also think pitching could develop into one of our main strengths, but we need to get some experience on the mound before that reveals itself. In some of our previous seasons we have had great hitters, but everything rested on their shoulders. This year any one of our players can get the job done at any time. They know this, too.”
With a good mix of talent and experience, Spitz believes Catholic can be competitive on a daily basis. Pitching will definitely be a key focus, with both Rader and Davis returning to the mound to help anchor a young staff.
“We will have two very experienced and quality starters, as well as some young powerful arms to complement them,” Spitz said. “Coleman Morrison, Danny White, and Ben Smith are all special. We also have young arms that will fill some bullpen roles and be very key to our success. Our depth is moderate and should only increase as we get some young players opportunities early in the season.”
Following a March 13 jamboree at Mt. Grove with Ava, Mt. Grove and West Plains, Catholic opens its season March 20 with a home double-header against Poplar Bluff and Lee’s Summit.
