By Chris Parker
All of the area’s spring sports teams lost the 2020 season.
There likely isn’t any spring team in the area in any sport that had higher expectations in 2020 than the Willard baseball team. The Tigers were coming off a 30-7 season that saw them finish third at state. Willard brought back eight starters and four all-state players from that team.
Expectations couldn’t have been higher for Willard.
“It was difficult to lose last season. Our senior class was the best class to come through here, and we thought we had a legitimate chance to win the state title. We were ranked 40th in the nation and first in state pre-season, and wanted to get into the top 25 to bring national recognition to our school and program,” Willard head coach Scott McGee said. “More than that though, losing 15 kids who never got to put on a Willard uniform, with everything they had done for our program, was very difficult. There are several already contributing to college baseball programs, but I really feel for the kids that are not playing college baseball, and didn’t get to end their career on a high note.”
The work ethic of that graduated group was unrivaled.
“The work ethic and togetherness that group had. They all wanted to win as badly as the coaching staff did, and pulled for each other every day,” McGee said. “They approached things in such a professional way, and just being around them would have elevated our younger guys last year.”
McGee is ready to get on the field with the 2021 version of the Willard Tigers.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
“It (losing the 2020 season) definitely puts things in perspective. Just getting the opportunity to play will be fun for our group. With so many unanswered questions, we are going to make more mistakes this year, but being able to play is a blessing,” McGee said. “We have improved immensely from June 15 until now. Our weight room work ethic and attendance at offseason were outstanding. Our players really dedicated themselves to improving every day, and hopefully that can help us close the experience gap for this season.”
The senior trio of Blake Hutgren (shortstop), Dalen Stewart (left-handed pitcher) and Grant Merryman (second base) will be team leaders this season. All three will play college baseball with Hultgren going to College of the Ozarks, Stewart to Jefferson County CC and Merryman to St. Louis CC.
Hultgren returns with eight career hits to his name, which is eight more than any other player on Willard’s team.
“(Hultgren is) our only position player with any varsity experience. (He) started at second base as a sophomore. He knows everything about our system and is a hard worker and committed player,” McGee said.
Stewart brings a fastball that sits in the mid to upper 80’s to the mound along with strong command of multiple off-speed pitches. His 14 career innings on the mound are the only returning varsity pitching experience for Willard.
“(Stewart) steps into a role as one of the top pitchers in Missouri. His work ethic and attention to detail are good examples for our other pitchers,” McGee said.
Merryman has shown strong development.
“Grant has really developed offensively, and is very intelligent as a baseball player. His knowledge of the game will help our younger players,” McGee said.
Senior Evan Gaunt and junior Jared Miles will be factors on the mound behind Stewart. Gaunt brings strong command to the hill. He is also great at controlling the opposing team on the basepaths. Miles has a fastball in the upper 80’s with a strong curveball.
Junior Gunner Wildermuth and sophomore Kyden McMain will battle for time at catcher.
Hutlgren and Merryman will hold down the middle infield positions with sophomores Cooper Hampton (first base) and Owen Bushnell (third base) at the corners. Senior Elliot Friend will be a designated hitter. Friend will play football collegiately at Westminster next fall.
Gaunt will play in centerfield when not pitching. He will be joined by junior Kade Biellier (right field) and sophomore Klayton Kiser (left field). Biellier was described as the team’s top offensive player by McGee.
Willard will have strength in both its pitching and offensive versatility.
“We will be strong on the mound, and have offensive versatility. We have a top of the line No. 1 pitcher (Stewart), and enough depth to sort things out behind him and form a good rotation. Offensively, we have a little bit of power, we run well, and we have good left-right balance in the lineup. Once we figure out all of our offensive system, we will be a good offensive team,” McGee said.
Defense is where the team will have to put in some work in the pre-season.
“We have to improve defensively. Outside of Hultgren, we don’t have varsity experience, and we have some guys that need a lot of reps to get better,” McGee said. “We are going to have to mix and match at times because a lot of our best offensive players are not strong defenders, and a lot of our better defenders are not strong offensively. It will be a different type of playing style than we have used the past five years.”
Things will be a work in progress for Willard early in the season, as the Tigers try to figure out what things work best for this group.
“We are going to work through several options early in the season, and will be a strong team by the end,” McGee said. “Once our guys get experience, and our coaches can find a style of play that works, we are going to be as good as anyone.”
Willard opens the season on Mar. 19 at home against Kennett.
