By Chris Parker
Gavin Morris was ready to start his first season as head coach of the Walnut Grove baseball team in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic makes the 2021 season his first chance to coach the Tigers in regular season baseball games.
“It was really disappointing losing a season where the guys were going to be able to work and improve. I think it did give us a lot to look forward to moving on. We seem to have a bunch of guys that are really looking forward to getting back onto the field and start working hard,” Morris said. “It (returning to the field) will mean a lot to myself and the team since it has been such a long time that we haven’t been able to all be working together on baseball. I’m looking forward to seeing the guys put in a lot of work and seeing their off-season hard work come to fruition.”
Senior Zachary Hejna and junior Gavin Fortner will be team leaders according to Morris.
Hejna is the team’s lone senior. He will play first base.
“He (Hejna) will be a great leader to help keep everybody accountable and be an extremely hard worker himself,” Morris said.
Fortner will be a catcher and the team’s No. 1 pitcher.
“Gavin Fortner is our number one this year and will be a commanding presence on the mound and we will look at him to give us a lot of innings. He throws the ball well and locates pitches,” Morris said.
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Juniors Michael Stogsdill and Cody Keith will also pitch for Walnut Grove. That duo will share the left side of the infield at shortstop and third base, respectively, when not pitching.
“Michael Stogsdill will be our number two and will be able to give us innings on the mound. He will look to locate the ball and pitch well in situations,” Morris said. “Cody Keith will be another starter and will be asked to step up and be a challenging presence on the mound. He throws the ball well and has decent off speed.”
Junior Calvin Smith will round out the infield lineup at second base.
Junior Lane Holman (centerfield), sophomore AJ Hostettler (left field) and freshman Rhett McMillan (right field) will be the starters in the outfield.
This unit will be a strong defensive team that looks to save runs while the offense works to hit its stride.
“Our biggest strength should be our defense. We have a lot of guys who are returning and have been working hard to improve on fielding the ball. We look to be solid up the middle and have depth at certain positions so that when we change pitchers we have guys to come off the bench and fill any hole that might present itself,” Morris said. “We will need to improve on our offensive side. Hitting is going to be an area that we work on a lot and work to get solid at before our first game of the season. Hopefully we can all get on the same page and work to fill roles throughout the lineup.”
Walnut Grove opens the season on Mar. 26 at Morrisville.
