By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
As a new pitching staff develops, the Conway Bears will lean on a strong offensive lineup to carry the load.
With veteran hitters returning, Conway is well-suited to put runs on the board.
“Our biggest strength will be our offense,” said Conway coach Clay Bilyeu. “We have several guys with experience. They’ve been our biggest offensive producers the last couple of years.
“We will have doubles power throughout our lineup and several guys with speed who can steal a bag or take the extra base.”
Conway will field a senior-heavy lineup that features a trio of three-year starters.
Chase Caffey (C/P) is a two-time, all-conference player who can play anywhere on the diamond.
Caffey, Conway’s leadoff hitter, batted .414 with 24 hits, 6 doubles, 12 RBIs, and 15 steals in the 2020 fall season. He has committed to play at College of the Ozarks next year.
Tanner Simpson (3B/P/C) and Jake Vestal (1B) have started since their sophomore year as well.
Vestal, who hits in the middle of the lineup and can also play outfield, hit .371 with five doubles, one homer and 18 RBIs in the fall. He also missed several games due to quarantine.
Simpson primarily plays third base but will also see time at pitcher and catcher this spring. He hit .364 with 20 hits, 7 doubles and 19 RBIs in the fall.
“Tanner is a big, strong kid with some pop and good hands at third base,” Bilyeu said. “He also has a great arm.”
Senior Kason McBride (CF) has started at least part-time since his sophomore year. He’s set to take over in center field this spring; he hit .318 with 21 hits, five doubles and 14 RBIs in the fall.
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“He brings good range and a strong arm to lead our outfield,” Bilyeu said.
Trey Earls (P/OF) could be in store for a breakout spring after earning all-conference honors in the fall 2019 season.
“We will be looking for him to jump into a bigger role this year – on the mound and now in the field as a regular starter,” Bilyeu said.
Kory McBride (P/SS) will move from key reserve to full-time starter this year.
Along with playing shortstop, McBride will be a key starter in the pitching rotation. He had a 1.14 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 18 innings last fall.
“We look for him to be one of our top arms,” Bilyeu said.
Ryan Dame (P/OF), the seventh of Conway’s returning seniors, will be another pivotal arm for the Bears.
He’s thrown varsity innings since his sophomore year but will see an increased role in 2021.
Dame pitched a team-high 29 innings (3.86 ERA, 43 strikeouts) in Conway’s 2020 fall season.
Varsity newcomers include juniors Alton Mackey (DH/1B), Nathanial Rice (OF) and Kaleb Doing (IF).
Mackey has played well on JV the past two years and could see time as a DH or pinch-hitter.
Bilyeu said Rice can play any of the three outfield spots, while Doing gives Conway depth along the infield.
Conway’s success may depend on its pitching. The Bears must replace their top two pitchers from a year ago.
Looking to fill some of that void are sophomore Troy Replogle (P/IF) and freshman Cade Archer (IF/P).
Replogle will play in the infield and also see time on the mound. Replogle’s strong fall season (1-0-1 on the mound with a 3.32 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 8.2 innings pitched) has Bilyeu eager to see more.
“There were stretches where he was our best hitter and the case could be made for the same on the mound,” Bilyeu said.
Archer earned significant varsity playing time as a freshman in fall ball. He doesn’t play like a typical 9th grader.
“Archer is someone who takes great at-bats, can play multiple infield positions and throw some innings if need be,” Bilyeu said. “He also has great speed and base-running instincts.”
Conway had the makings of a promising team last spring.
The Bears were set to feature a stellar pitching duo in Colby Vavruska and Dakotah Evans. Evans transferred to Conway for his senior year; Vavruska’s now playing at North Arkansas Community College.
“Colby was one of the better starting pitchers our program has had. He’ll be missed not only for his talent, but the competitiveness and work ethic he brought to us,” Bilyeu said. “Dakotah would’ve been a huge addition for us. I really hate that we didn’t get to see what they could do together.”
The Bears also graduated a pair of versatile plyers in Andrew Dame and Grant Cornelison, along with outfielder James Shockley. All three were in Conway’s starting lineup for two or more years.
“Andrew just loved the game and was one of those kids you love to coach,” Bilyeu said. “Grant had a tremendous fall season his senior year, which had made me really excited about what he could accomplish in the spring.
“James was a former all-conference player. When he was in center field for us, you knew not much was getting down.”
Conway plays Marshfield and Lebanon (host) in a jamboree on March 12.
Conway starts the regular season March 19 at Pierce City. The Bears’ home opener is April 1 against Fordland.
