By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Ozark baseball team begins this season in unfamiliar territory.
In their first campaign under head coach Justin Sundlie, the Tigers finished their 2021 schedule with an 11-16 record. It marked the first time in seven years that Ozark did not win at least half of its games — and just the second time since 2009 the Tigers did not win at least 14 times.
But Ozark’s record doesn’t tell the whole story.
Like all other programs, the Tigers didn’t benefit from losing their entire 2020 schedule to the pandemic. Only one player entered the 2021 season with any kind of varsity experience.
The Tigers also played a challenging schedule, with 36 percent of their regular-season games against out-of-state schools. Six of their 16 losses came to teams not based in Missouri.
Ozark opened 2-8 as the team adjusted to their new coach, but went 9-8 in its final 17 games.
“I think there are always challenges when you get a new coach, for both the coach and the players,” Sundlie said. “It takes time to build that relationship that you want and need to be successful. Last year’s guys bought into what we were trying to do and I couldn’t be more proud of that group. Our biggest goal was to try to improve all year and I felt we did that.”
With seven members of last season’s team now competing in college, the returning Tigers are ready to move past that finish and compete for Central Ozark Conference and district titles.
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The Tigers finished 6-3 in the conference last season, placing them in a three-way tie for third place. Sundlie said the experience that Ozark gained at two tournaments in Oklahoma and a road trip to northwest Arkansas helped them compete with the schools they saw closer to home.
“It’s good for them to see the talent that is out there,” Sundlie said. “It can be an eye-opener when you go to some of those schools and play on their facilities. We were humbled multiple times. At the same time, they have to learn to beat those caliber of teams if we are going to achieve our goals. The COC is as competitive as any conference in the state. Every team is well-coached and has high-level talent. Those tournaments definitely help us feel prepared.”
Sundlie also credited his on-field leaders for the growth the team saw in the second half.
“Last year’s team improved as much from start to finish as any team I have coached,” said Sundlie, who brought 12 years of experience to Ozark. “That was a result of their leadership and hard work.”
Many leaders have moved on, creating opportunities for the new and returning players.
All-state shortstop Holden Sabor — Ozark’s top hitter — and all-district honorees Hunter Tennison, Garrett Dotson and Caleb Casto are all playing at State Fair Community College.
All-district selection Colton Casteel (Northeastern State), Logan Baade (Baptist Bible) and Holton Miller (Avila) are also continuing their baseball careers in college.
“Hunter Tennison, Garrett Dotson, and Holton Miller were a big part of our rotation last year,” Sundlie said. “Innings will have to be filled this year with new players, so there will be lots of opportunities on the mound for young guys. Caleb Casto, Colton Casteel, and Logan Baade all brought good offensive production. They were able to play multiple positions and did a good job giving us depth.”
Ozark returns two seniors who earned postseason honors. Outfielder/pitcher Devyn Wright (.337) and infielder/pitcher Brody Baumann (.287, 27 RBI) were both all-conference honorees.
“Devyn did a good job playing centerfield and hitting leadoff for us last year,” Sundlie said. “He loves to play and plays hard. I expect him to get more time on the mound this year and bring energy to our offensive production. Brody pitched some big games for us last year and led our team in RBIs. He will help us win a lot of games with both his bat and pitching.”
Baumann finished with a team-best 38.2 innings pitched, going 3-4. No other returning pitcher threw more than 11 innings, as Ozark graduated about 70 percent of last season’s experience. But junior catcher Cooper Buvid is back in the fold, giving Ozark a familiar face behind the plate.
“The big question is always pitching,” Sundlie said. “We have a lot of innings to fill from guys that moved on. For us to be able to compete, we will have to get this figured out.”
Infielder/pitcher Kannon Little and outfielder/pitcher Greydon Miller are two more returning players who are ready to take on expanded roles in their senior seasons.
“Greydon had a good summer both on the mound and at the plate,” Sundlie said. “He will hit in the middle of our lineup and provide both good run production and good innings pitching. He has also proven to be able to play multiple positions in our outfield. Kannon played shortstop for us all last summer and provides great speed and a high baseball IQ. He has the ability to get on base and score runs.”
Senior infielder Rhett Hayward spent the majority of last spring recovering from an ACL injury, but is healthy now and could earn a spot in the middle of the lineup. Classmates Sutton Hanks (outfield) and Ryan Wood (pitcher) provide depth and give the Tigers some additional options.
Juniors Brady Dodd (middle infielder), Brock Dodd (outfielder/catcher), Brock Sundlie (outfielder) and Cash Morgan (utility) and sophomore Gage Depee (infielder/pitcher) are all in the mix for playing time.
“This is a very athletic group,” coach Sundlie said. “We need to be able to use that athleticism to apply pressure to teams we play.”
Ozark, Nixa and Logan-Rogersville will compete in a jamboree at U.S. Ballpark on March 12. The Tigers open the regular season six days later, when they host Bishop Kelley of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Poplar Bluff in a doubleheader.
Their first conference game is scheduled for April 5 at Republic.
“Expectations are always high in Ozark and our athletes understand that,” coach Sundlie said. “I can tell they are excited to get started and at this point that is all I can ask.”
