By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The goals have been set, and they ought to open eyes in the clubhouse, if only because it shows their coach believes they can do some damage – even despite graduating half the innings on the mound from a year ago.
Finish in the top three of the Ozark Conference. Win at least 15 games. Win at least a game in the district tournament to give yourself a chance.
That’s what is in front of the West Plains High School baseball team for the 2022 season.
“The Ozark Conference has some really good teams in it, but the teams I think will be up toward the top this year are Kickapoo, Glendale and Lebanon,” West Plains coach James Sharp said. “We finished third last year behind Kickapoo and Glendale. Hopefully, we will be somewhere toward the top this season as well.”
A year after finishing 13-10, the Zizzers have some interesting pieces that could make that happen, with a roster of 20 varsity players. Six are returning starters and 11 players overall saw varsity time last year.
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Pitching staff
The pitching depth could be a key, as 11 guys could see time on the mound. Leading the way could be senior right-hander Jacob Ruhland, a second team All-Ozark Conference selection last year after he pitched 60 innings. He was 6-5 with a 2.45 earned run average, struck out 35 batters and allowed only nine walks.
“Ruhland probably has the most experience on the team,” Sharp said. “He has been pitching at the varsity level since he was a freshman. The team knows he will come out, throw strikes, keep hitters off balance and give us a chance to win each game he throws. He led our team in almost every pitching category, and we’ll be relying on him to be a big part of our success this season as well.”
Others include senior right-handers Trevor Kinder, Sy Stewart and reliever Parker McGinley. Kinder didn’t have many pitching opportunities last season. Stewart logged 17 innings, striking out 14.
Another pitcher is Colby Hoover, who was coming off a shoulder injury last season and pitched only two varsity innings. He could be the closer.
Other pitchers in the mix could be junior right-hander Jaden Barrett, sophomores Coy Crites, Nelson Hoover, Trey Miller and Hunter Williams.
“There are a lot of younger guys that we expect to step into larger roles on the mound,” Sharp said, “but we will have to see how that plays out.”
Offense
Offensively overall, Sharp is encouraged because the guys hit the weight room in the offseason and a lot of bats are back from last year.
“They have bought into the weight room, and I think they will really take a jump in their power numbers this year,” Sharp said.
Catcher Tank Sims, third baseman Hayden Bryant, Colby Hoover and sophomore shortstop Peyton Cooper could be keys to the Zizzers’ lineup.
Sims, a sophomore, was a second team All-Ozark Conference selection after hitting .393 with seven extra-base hits and 17 RBI last year. Bryant was All-Ozark Conference as a utility player after batting .356 with eight extra-base hits and 15 RBI.
And then there is Hoover, who batted .310 with eight doubles and a home run. He could be at first base along with sophomore Riley Summers.
“(Colby Hoover) has also been playing at the varsity level since his freshman season,” Sharp said. “We are hoping he will be back to 100 percent this season and hit somewhere in the middle of our lineup. Colby was a great arm earlier in his high school career but has suffered some arm injuries and is still working on getting to where he wants to be.”
Keep an eye on Summers, too.
“He is probably our best defensive first baseman and can swing it,” Sharp said. “He may find himself in the lineup at some point this season.”
Cooper hit .341 out of the leadoff spot last year as his performance was encouraging for a freshman.
The rest of the projected roster includes junior catcher Jaden Barrett, seniors Hunter McCullough or John Edgellar or freshman Hunter Roberts at second base, and outfield with a lot of depth.
In right field or right field, look for seniors Evan Ackerson and Gavin Jackson, juniors Jaden Barrett and Coley Shipley, and sophomores Nelson Hoover and Rylan Kenslow.
Stewart, the center fielder, hit .250 last season with eight RBI. The designated hitter could be Trevor Kinder.
“The team is excited to get back on the field this year after a disappointing end to our season last spring,” Sharp said. “They also feel like we have the experience to have a successful season this year.”
West Plains hosts a jamboree on March 15, and it includes Springfield Catholic, Ava and Mountain Grove. The Zizzers’ first game is against Harrison, Ark., on March 18 in the Ozark Classic Tournament.
