By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
2021 proved to be a successful campaign for Crane baseball.
The Pirates finished with a 17-8 record, falling in the district title game to eventual Class 2 state champion Marionville.
Longtime head coach Bryan Harmon, the Southwest Central League Coach of the Year in 2021, was pleased with his team’s development during the season, despite missed opportunities at the end of the year.
“We fell short of our goals at the end when we lost to the eventual state champion in the district championship game,” Harmon said. “Many of the players put up huge individual as well as team numbers.”
A host of graduated seniors departed the program, including Wesley Clark, Zane Compton, Chase Conrad, Koy Essary, Tanner Graham, Harley Hebert, Isaac Robinson, Hayden Shepard, Isaiah Smith and Seth Steele.
Robinson, Smith, Shepard and Essary were all-state selections in 2021.
“Last year’s team had a great deal of senior leadership which led to much success over the past four years,” Harmon said. “In their four years in the program, we won three conference championships and played in three district championship games.”
A pair of returning lettermen are set to lead the Pirates this season in Blake Evans and Wyatt Howard.
Evans, a 6-foot junior third baseman/pitcher, hit .265 last season with 1 home run, 13 runs batted in and 3 stolen bases. On the mound, he recorded a 3.62 ERA.
“Blake will be expected to move up to the middle of the lineup and produce runs in a very young lineup,” Harmon said.
Howard, a 6-foot-2 senior outfielder/pitcher, hit .288 with 1 home run, 15 runs batted in and 6 stolen bases. On the mound, he finished with an ERA of 4.42.
“Wyatt will be expected to move up to the middle of the lineup and produce runs in a very young lineup,” Harmon said.
With so many open spots on the roster due to graduation, Crane will welcome a host of varsity newcomers eager to make an immediate impact.
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Adam Murray (senior pitcher/outfield), Mason Elder (senior pitcher/first base), Jeffery Bain (sophomore outfield), Brayden Faucett (sophomore pitcher/second base), Connor Angel (freshman pitcher/second base), Jake Murray (freshman pitcher/catcher), Brady Robinson (freshman pitcher/shortstop), Seth Mahlstedt (freshman pitcher/outfield), Kohen Cloyd (freshman pitcher/catcher) and Joey Thompson (freshman catcher/outfield) will all compete for varsity playing time this season.
“As a young and inexperienced team, we will look to improve every day,” Harmon said. “We hope to be the team at the end of the season that others do not want to match up against. The few returning players that we do have will be expected to show leadership and help the younger players improve.”
In addition, Harmon plans to retire after the season following a 29-year career with the school.
“This is my 29th year at Crane,” Harmon said. “I spent the first 13 years as assistant and have been the head coach for the past 16 years. This will be my final season, as I will be retiring at the end of the school year.”
Following a March 14 jamboree at U.S. Ballpark, Crane will open its season March 19 in the Purdy Tournament.
