By Chris Parker
Sarcoxie baseball is looking to reach double digit wins for the first time since 2013 with good numbers returning to the team this year.
“Our off-season numbers have been good and our players have bought into our program,” Sarcoxie coach Jack Altermatt said. “We have some players that have made major jumps in the off-season, and I believe that commitment to improvement will make us a solid team heading into the spring.”
The Bears, like every team in the state, did not have a high school season last year. Sarcoxie took advantage of a summer schedule to get reps in together.
“We were able to play together in the summer and that helped to get us to transition into this season. We won more than we lost in the summer which helped our confidence. The guys are looking forward to showing folks how much we have improved with our hard work,” Altermatt said.
The leadership core will be made up of seniors Blade Ellis and Chance Kyle along with sophomore Carson Torrance and freshman Dugan Pogue.
Ellis will be the team’s captain. He is a four-year starter who will play pitcher, catcher and in the middle infield.
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“Blade is a great baseball player with interest from multiple schools to play at the next level. He’s consistent and hasn’t missed a work out in my two years as head coach here. He’s one of the better players in the area,” Altermatt said.
Kyle is a pitcher, outfielder and will also see time at first base. He is a solid bat and a left-handed pitcher with good command.
Torrance will be a bat in the middle of the order and play third base and pitch.
“He (Torrance) is consistent and brings a ton of utility to the team. His work ethic that helped him make big gains in the off-season,” Altermatt said.
Pogue has shown great leadership qualities despite being just a freshman.
“Dugan is only a freshman, but he never misses a workout. He has played a ton of baseball and is mature beyond his years. Dugan will play catcher and any utility role he’s asked to. He has a great bat and defensively is an impressive catcher for sure,” Altermatt said.
In addition to those four, juniors Kelson Guenther and Kenny Guenzel along with sophomore Ethan Lee will be the team’s pitchers.
Pogue, Ellis and Guenther will all play catcher at times with Pogue seeing the most time behind the plate.
Around the infield Sarcoxie will have Guenzel, Kyle and Guenther sharing duties at first base. Junior Dominick Doke will be at second base. Torrance will hold down third base. Ellis, Guenther and Lee will split time at shortstop.
The outfield will be by committee with Kyle and Guenzel being joined by Rylee Huff (junior), Gabe Price (junior), Ethan Lee (sophomore), Gage Barnard (senior), Jonathan Greenstreet (junior), Jesse Law (freshman) and Luke Chrisman (junior).
Expect to see players moving around all over the field for Sarcoxie.
“The Bears’ strengths will be our adaptability and willingness (and ability) to play multiple positions. If our pitchers continue to make gains, our rotation should be consistent and we should be able to find success in that area as well,” Altermatt said.
Altermatt is looking for his team to be strong defensively.
“In previous years, the Bears made a lot of defensive mistakes and couldn’t get out of jams,” Altermatt said. “My goal since becoming the head coach at Sarcoxie last year has been to minimize defensive errors and overall mistakes. If we can keep “The Circus” from coming to town (my definition of Innings filled with defensive errors), then we will be in a good place.”
Sarcoxie will open the season on Mar. 25 at McAuley Catholic.
“My philosophy for our baseball team is simple and if we can live up to it, we will win more that we lose: Find consistency, limit mistakes, and make the other team pay for the mistakes they make,” Altermatt said.
