By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Like most coaches, Marshfield head coach Wiliam Pate was forced to deal with a chaotic and difficult transition due to the 2020 sports cancellations.
“Losing the 2020 season hurts developmentally for our players,” Pate said. “We had almost 30 games on the schedule that we would have played and about 30-40 practices. That is a lot of reps players missed out on that we can’t get back.”
Without a season, Pate and the Bluejays made some quick adjustments to ensure the program was as prepared as possible for the upcoming season.
“We approached our summer season in a different way than we have in the past,” Pate said. “A lot of our guys play with a travel team through the summer so we got them all to play with us one night a week for a total of nine games so that we could get a look at our 2021 team. We talked with our seniors early and let them know it is their time and they are the leaders in the program now. They responded very well and did a tremendous job in the summer and through the offseason.”
Austin Dobrick, Brooks Espy, Brennan Espy and Thomas McIllwain depart the program as senior graduates.
Brooks Espy will compete for Southwest Baptist University this season, while Brennan Espy will play for Drury University.
Despite the graduation losses, Marshfield will return another deep senior class full of talented leaders this spring.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
“I think there is a lot of anticipation due to last season being cancelled and I believe everyone’s outlook is that they are just ready to compete,” Pate said. “We’ve got a strong group of seniors who have stepped up as leaders in the program and are ready to take the field this spring.”
Those seniors include infielder/pitcher Jackson Vestal (2-2, 2.14 ERA, .478 BA, 6 RBI, 6 SB), outfielder/pitcher Ethan Grace (2-0, 1.40 ERA, .450 BA, 8 RBI, 5 SB), catcher Logan Crum (.375 BA, 7 RBI, 1 SB), pitcher/first baseman Landon Wilson (1-0, 1.40 ERA), outfielder/pitcher Ben Casterlin and first baseman/pitcher Hayden Curley.
While Marshfield has plenty of senior leadership, Pate believes there is no substitute for experience and time will be needed for things to come together this season.
“Last year we returned a lot of experience in the lineup and experience isn’t something you can work on in the offseason — it only comes from playing,” Pate said. “That is the biggest difference in last year’s team and this year’s team.”
Pate also expects a host of varsity newcomers to quickly step in this season and make an impact for the Bluejays’ roster.
Infielder/pitcher Owen Curley (JR), outfielder/catcher Sheldon Espy (JR), utility/pitcher Kyle Jones (JR), infielder/pitcher Jackson Rovig (JR), catcher/outfielder/pitcher Wyatt Brockman (JR), outfielder/pitcher Bryant Bull (SO) and pitcher/infielder Kyler Massie (SO) will all compete for varsity playing time.
“We think all of these guys will adjust to varsity ball well and be able to contribute in some way whether it be at the plate, on the mound or on the bases,” Pate said. “All of them have unique skills that we will try to utilize as best as we can.”
With limited game experience, Marshfield will turn to a strong pitching staff early in the season.
“Our biggest strength at this point is our pitching,” Pate said. “Our key factors are pitchers being efficient and not having long and labored innings. The other key factor is controlling the running game. We have good depth at the position but are looking for a couple more guys to stand out as starters.”
While question marks exist with a relatively inexperienced group, Pate believes his team’s offense will quickly improve throughout the season.
“We really want to build upon our offense as the season progresses,” Pate said. “It is hard to replicate live game reps in preseason so those early games will be crucial for our guys to get ABs and get the bats going.”
For Marshfield to be successful, the Bluejays will have to navigate and always challenging Big 8 Conference schedule full of traditional powerhouses.
“We are in a very tough conference with a lot of quality teams so it will be fun to watch everyone compete,” Pate said. “I know a lot of schools return most of their main guys so there will be some really tough opponents this year.”
Following a March 15 jamboree in Lebanon with the host school and Conway, Marshfield will open its season March 30 in Mexico with a double-header against Mexico and Excelsior Springs.
