By Chris Parker
Weaubleau had big expectations for the 2020 season coming off the program’s first final four appearance with seven starters returning, but the COVID-19 pandemic would prematurely end the careers for six seniors.
“With seven of our nine starters returning for the 2019-2020 season, following our first Final Four appearance in school history, we were looking to return to the Final Four. That team would have been led by six seniors, five of whom had three years of varsity playing experience,” Weaubleau head coach Chad Foster said. “With the loss of those six seniors, we are returning only three starters. We had six incoming freshmen this fall and three more varsity players with limited field time. This fall allowed those boys to adjust to playing at the varsity level, while developing a rhythm as a team.”
Weaubleau did get 20 games in this fall going 12-8.
“With so much turnover from last year’s team, the boys gained much needed playing experience while trying out different positions and line-up combinations as they learned their team roles,” Foster said.
Weaubleau will have three captains in senior Treyton Foster, junior Ethan Foster and sophomore Cooper Wilken.
Treyton Foster will pitch and play third base. Foster was 4-0 on the mound in the fall with a 1.06 ERA. He hit .431 with 22 RBI.
“Treyton started as a sophomore on our Final Four team. He led us in batting average in the fall and was dominant at times on the mound. He plays good defense and will be our No. 1 on the mound,” Foster said.
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Ethan Foster will play first base and pitch. He was 1-1 on the mound with a 3.18 ERA with a .407 batting average and 26 RBI at the plate.
“Ethan started as a freshman on our Final Four team. He led us in several offensive categories in the fall season, including homeruns. He plays good defense and will be asked to step up on the mound,” Foster said.
Wilken will see time at pitcher, catcher and shortstop. He posted a 2.70 ERA on the mound with a .303 batting average this fall.
“(Wilken) is a very versatile player, an excellent defender, a good hitter, and will be our No. 2 on the mound,” Foster said.
Sophomore Wyatt Dennis and senior Creek Tucker will round out the pitching rotation. Tucker will join Wilken and freshman Zach Brown as an option behind the plate at catcher. Tucker hit .370 with a 2.63 ERA in the fall. Brown posted a .243 batting average.
“Our team is athletic. Defense, pitching, and base running will be a few of our strengths,” Foster said. “We are working to improve offensively. We are extremely young but as we gain more experience, I expect us to be very competitive.”
Gage Culbertson (outfield/pitcher/first base), Blane Durnell (centerfield/pitcher/first base), Gage Johnson (second base/shortstop/outfield/pitcher), Dawson Stewart (infield/outfield), Landon Chaney (infield/outfield) and Trapper Tucker (outfield) round out the roster.
Weaubleau opens the season on Mar. 19 at Climax Springs
