By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Optimism abounds within Central’s baseball program this season, as play will finally commence at the team’s brand new field.
The Bulldogs were set to open play last season at the new complex, located just three miles from campus on Pythian; however, the spring sports cancellations put everything on hold.
After a year of waiting, Central head coach Jerrod White is ready to put the new field to the test.
“It’s our first season on our new field,” White said. “We’re excited to set Bulldog baseball tradition!”
A trio of graduated seniors move on in Hunter Harrell, Jerry Gaylor and Jared Allen.
“We lost three seniors,” White said. “Jerry, Hunter and Jared, they’ve been with us since I came over. They were sophomores then and they’ve led by example every step of the way. They were all key contributors, and their leadership will be missed.”
Central will be led this season by a talented group of seniors in utility Jake McNeilis, first baseman Andrew Murry, pitcher/shortstop Theo Hosmer and Kaleb Smalls.
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Smalls has committed to play football next year at Missouri Valley College.
“We will be young and inexperienced,” White said. “But we have some hard-working kids that are excited to take on this challenge.”
Newcomers to the Bulldogs’ varsity roster include juniors Ahmias Hart, Cameron Howard, Vaj Gerken, Jeremy Coffman, Ermelido Jeffires, Isaiah Harvey, Onosei Jeffries, Josh Conway, Jonathan Austion, Jaydon Mercado and Ashton Stine.
Sophomores Braden McMeekin, Marissa Gaylor, Nathan Elsnerant and freshman Dakota Walton will also compete for playing time this season.
Entering his fourth season at Central, White is eager to continue teaching the game and developing young players.
“We must Control what we can control,” White said. “We have a young and inexperienced roster, most of which have not played baseball before. We’re excited to learn the lessons baseball teaches and build a strong, cohesive team.”
Like many teams, Central faces some question marks on the mound heading into the season with limited experience returning to the roster.
“We’re not returning many innings of experience on the mound,” White said. “We’re hopeful Jake McNeilis and Theo Hosmer can eat up a lot of innings, and we’ll find our other contributors over the first few weeks of practice.”
At the plate, the Bulldogs will look to improve their approach and compete on a daily basis.
“We’ll focus on competitiveness and fearlessness,” White said. “We have struggled in years past at putting the ball in play consistently enough to challenge defenses.”
While his team may be young and inexperienced, White is confident the Bulldogs’ work ethic, teamwork and competitiveness will pay off this season.
“Baseball is tough, and can really wear you down if you let it,” White said. “We will be positive and control our attitudes. One pitch at a time.”
Central opens its season March 19 at Spokane.
