By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Following one of the most successful seasons in team history, Republic baseball is reloading.
The Tigers graduated all but one starter from last season’s team that set a school record for victories, went a perfect 8-0 at home, clinched its first outright Central Ozark Conference title since 1978 and won a district championship for the first time in 15 years. Republic also came within a run of advancing to the first Final Four in school history, finishing the year 21-10.
A largely new starting lineup will look to build on that success this spring.
“There are a lot of unanswered questions heading into the season when you graduate all of your starters but one,” Tigers coach Curt Plotner said. “I think the biggest question right now is who is going to fill those gaps. I would say that all but about three to four positions are a wide open race at this point. We will have a lot of competition early in the season to get into the lineup.”
This year’s group is competing for the spots vacated by five players who earned postseason honors — four of whom continued their careers in college — and three other senior leaders.
All-state selections Ryker Harrington (outfielder) and Jared Hughes (utility) are both at Jefferson, all-state catcher Kyle Hill is competing for North Arkansas and Vincent Pyeatt chose William Woods after earning spots on the all-conference and all-district teams. All-district pick Richard Potter has also graduated, as have Bryce Messier, Brady Usgaard and Gavin Walker.
While short on varsity experience, Plotner said the returners have plenty of talent — and first-hand knowledge of what it takes to win games at the conference, district and state levels.
“Even though some of them weren’t on the field last year, they were able to be a part of a team that made a quarterfinal appearance last spring,” the coach continued. “They know what it takes for us to compete at a high level. They also understand that we have to play at a high level each and every game. We compete in one of the better conferences in the state and you have to show up every night ready to play — or you will get beat.”
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Junior Gavyn Beckner is Republic’s lone returning starter. He was 5-2 with a 4.08 earned run average during an all-conference and all-district season. He also hit .339 with 18 RBI.
“He will once again be one of our top pitchers in the rotation,” Plotner said. “When he is not on the mound, you will find him catching or at third base. He will be a run producer for our lineup and has shown the ability to hit to all fields with power.”
Senior Cole Iles will move into the starting rotation after spending last year as Republic’s closer. He earned all-district honors with a 3-1 record, 3.14 ERA and five saves. Iles and classmate Tyler Burks (pitcher/infielder) have committed to Moberly Area Community College.
“Tyler had a lot of success for us last season in limited appearances,” Plotner said. “He has an unbelievable work ethic and has shown improvement throughout the offseason. You will see him on the mound, first base and designated hitter this spring.”
Seniors Ace McWatters (pitcher/infielder), Adam Brown (outfielder), Makhai Blansit (pitcher/infielder), Mason Brewer (pitcher/outfielder) and Mason Hayes (outfielder) will all provide veteran leadership. Brewer returns to the Tigers after missing his entire junior season with an injury, while McWatters and Brown both saw limited varsity action last season.
“We’re walking into this season with a target on our backs having won conference and districts last year,” Brown said. “We have a lot of talented young guys who will need to step up this year. I have a lot of confidence in this group of guys. As long as we do the little things right, I don’t see why we can’t have another great season.”
Plotner agreed.
“This group has several players that are very talented offensively, but I think that we will look a little different this year,” Plotner said. “We will have to play a little more small ball and find ways to manufacture runs. Overall, I really like this group of guys and believe they can be successful.”
Junior Connor Sandridge stole nine bases last season and will compete for time at second base, while classmate Dean Marcum is in the mix for time at designated hitter and catcher.
Fellow juniors Gunner Ellison, Collin Myers and Braysen McCroskey will all look to lock down playing time on the infield. Classmates Aidan Gregory and Andrew Schroeder are competing for time in the outfield, while Landon Carter provides additional depth to a strong pitching staff.
Sophomores Wyatt Woods (catcher), Trace Harrington (infielder/designated hitter), Devon Hughes (infielder), Garrett Lester (outfielder) and Mason Mitchell (pitcher) all join the team.
While this year’s Tigers might not have the same firepower as last year’s group that pounded out 98 extra base hits and averaged about eight runs per game, pitching is a strength.
Sophomore Caide White has top-of-the-rotation talent and will immediately jump into a three-man rotation with Iles and Beckner.
“The great thing about all three of these guys is that they all have the ability to win big games for us,” Plotner said. “Cole and Gavyn won half of our games last spring and Caide gained some experience last year as well.”
Burks, McWatters, Brewer, Carter, Ellison, McCroskey, Schroeder, Lester and Mitchell could all see time out of the bullpen.
“I expect us to be solid on the mound,” Plotner said. “If we can make the routine plays, we will be just fine. As we gain some experience early in the season, we hope to find ourselves in a situation late in the year to be playing our best baseball when the postseason rolls around.”
Republic, Carl Junction and Webb City will compete in a March 11 jamboree at Webb City.
The Tigers will open the regular season one week later when Hillcrest comes to town.
“I think these guys are ready to create their own identity,” Plotner said. “They have put in a lot of work this offseason and I am excited to watch them compete this spring.”
