By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The 2020 cancellations caused all sorts of chaos within the area’s programs and, for new coaches like Galena skipper Derwin McGownd, that turmoil was compounded.
Galena didn’t lose any graduated seniors following the cancelled season; however, the young and inexperienced Bears weren’t able to develop and adapt to the varsity game, either.
As a result, McGownd will undergo somewhat of a reset to his initial start with the program following an 11-year stint at Mountain Grove.
“Missing the 2020 season didn’t allow our young team to develop their knowledge and growth in the game,” McGownd said. “I am still learning about my athletes, their strengths and weaknesses, building the trust between athlete and coach.”
One bright spot for McGownd’s transition is the fact Galena was able to participate in fall baseball this season, which allowed some much-needed growth and development.
“Having the Fall Season to use to develop the mindset and the understanding of what I want them to do in certain situations was a big help for our team,” McGownd said.
A trio of returning seniors move into leadership roles for the Bears.
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Pitcher/infielder Grant Harness (.367 BA, 16 RBI, 7 SB), outfielder Hunter Chase (.283 BA, 9 RBI, 5 SB) and first baseman/pitcher Logan Thompson (1-1-2, 2.14 ERA, .344 BA, 11 RBI, 2 SB) will look to lead Galena’s this season.
They will be joined by three returning juniors in infielder/pitcher Cameron Robertson (4-1, 1.97 ERA, .365 BA, 11 RBI, 4 SB), outfielder/pitcher Logan Busbey (2-2, 2.68 ERA, 10 RBI, 13 SB) and second baseman/designated hitter Dillon Batson (.196 BA, 12 RBI, 4 SB)
Busbey, Harness and Chase were all-conference selections for the Southwest Central League.
In addition to Galena’s returning core, McGownd expects a few newcomers to have an impact on the roster.
Competing for varsity playing time this season will be sophomore outfielder Robert Carter and three freshmen in catcher Chase Robertson, pitcher Cannon Keithley and first baseman Ben Bailey.
The fall season was critical for development, and McGownd believes Galena’s pitching staff will be a primary benefactor as a result of the extra varsity work this season.
Robertson is expected to anchor a staff which will include Thompson, Harness, Busbey and Keithley.
“We were able to work with our pitching staff this fall on command of the strike zone,” McGownd said. “We want our pitchers to learn to ‘pitch’ and not just throw to a batter.”
Our strength going into the season would be our pitching staff and our ability to create run scoring opportunities on the bases offensively
“We were able to work with our pitching staff this fall on command of the strike zone. We want our pitchers to learn to “pitch” and not just throw to a batter.
At the plate, Galena should be balanced and very capable at moving runners around the bases.
“Our lineup has a combination of speed and good base running sense,” McGownd. “We have players that can handle the bat very well, like putting down a bunt in certain situations or hitting the ball behind runners in a hit and run situation. Sprinkled into the lineup are players that can hit the ball a long way. It is a very balanced group of players.”
As can be the case with inexperienced teams, the biggest challenge for the young Bears this season could be maintaining consistency and composure in the field.
“Our biggest weakness is the mental mistakes that we make on defense,” McGownd said. “We throw the ball in from the outfield to the wrong base, allowing runners to get into scoring position. We will get into a big hurry to make a throw across the diamond and not field the routine grounder. We have to clean that aspect of our game to be competitive.”
For Galena to be successful, McGownd believes its team chemistry will have to quickly develop early in the season.
“The team will need to put their trust in each other,” McGownd said. “They have to play around each other’s mistakes. They will need to pick each other up after a bad at bat at the plate. I think if we can overcome this, we will be a better team.”
Galena opens its season March 12 with a home double-header against Blue Eye and Hurley.
