By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Fair Grove’s 2022 lineup card will look a lot like the 2021 version.
With eight starters back from an 18-win team, the Eagles figure to be contenders into late May and beyond.
“We bring back a lot of experience from last season, so we will hit the ground running from Day 1,” said Eagles coach Christian Overstreet. “Our team has high expectations for itself and understands the amount of time and preparation that needs to be put in to give ourselves the best chance to win.”
An array of multi-sport athletes fill out Fair Grove’s 2022 lineup.
“We have a great group of kids in our program who are a lot of fun to coach because they want to be coached,” Overstreet said. “They enjoy the game and have fun being around one another.”
Fair Grove returns five seniors with significant starting experience.
First baseman Kyle Fritts had a breakout season as a junior, hitting .347 with nine extra-base hits and 28 RBIs. He earned second team all-conference honors.
An all-state lineman in football, Fritts is poised for another big senior season on the diamond.
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“His leadership will be a big part of our success this season,” Overstreet said. “Kyle is a true gap-to-gap hitter and is expected to be a big-time run producer for us this spring. Kyle has worked at his speed and strength in the weight room, which are going to improve not only his offense but his defensive range as well.”
Infielder Logan Daniels is a four-year varsity starter. He earned all-state honors as a utility player last season and has signed to play collegiately at College of the Ozarks.
Daniels hits .464 with five extra-base hits and 20 RBIs last season. He’s also one of the Eagles’ better pitchers (2.40 ERA).
“Logan can play anywhere on the field,” Overstreet said. “He will be a tough out for other teams and can change the game on the base paths with his speed.”
Ryken Adkins will lead Fair Grove’s outfield unit. Adkins hit .276 with six extra-base hits and 28 RBIs last season; he was named second team all-conference.
“Adkins is a tough out at the plate and his leadership is going to be big for our team,” Overstreet said.
Kade Gallion (UTL) brings versatility and athleticism to the team. After playing on the infield his first three seasons, Gallion will see more time in the outfield this spring.
Gallion hit .308 with six extra-base hits and 19 RBIs last season. He was also 3-0 as a pitcher.
“Kade is a very talented baseball player and will be a force at the top our middle of our lineup,” Overstreet said.
Andrew Faubion emerged as a reliable pitcher last season, going 3-0 overall with a 2.62 ERA.
“Andrew has been a 3-sport athlete over the course of his high school career and that experience is going to help us,” Overstreet said. “His leadership and knowledge of the game are going to be strengths of our team.”
In the junior class, Fair Grove returns Jaxon Rowden, Landon Taylor, Hayden Carver and Garin Geitz. All four had key contributions as sophomores.
Rowden became Fair Grove’s top starting pitcher and was a mainstay atop the lineup.
Rowden went 6-1 on the mound with a 2.07 ERA. At the plate, he hit .346 with 20 RBIs. Rowden is also Fair Grove’s normal starter at shortstop when he isn’t pitching.
But Rowden won’t be ready for the start of Fair Grove’s baseball season, after undergoing surgery for a wrist injury he suffered during basketball this winter.
“We’ll be excited for his return whenever he can play again,” Overstreet said.
Landon Taylor began the season as Fair Grove’s starting catcher, but shifted to designated hitter after suffering an injury to his throwing arm.
Taylor (.312 batting average, 14 RBIs) will look to reclaim his role as starting catcher and drive in runs in Fair Grove’s lineup.
Hayden Carver replaced Taylor at catcher last season, but could see time elsewhere in 2022, including more innings on the mound.
“Hayden’s versatility allows him to play any position on the field,” Overstreet said.
Garin Geitz will look to earn a regular starting spot in Fair Grove’s pitching rotation. He can also play the field when not pitching.
Geitz has also added 25 pounds of muscle since last season, setting him up for a promising 2022 campaign.
“Garin has a tremendous work ethic in the weight room and there is no doubt his hard work is going to pay off for our team this spring,” Overstreet said.
The Eagles finished 18-8 overall last season, marking their third straight season of 16 or more wins. They also earned a share of the Mid-Lakes Conference regular season championship.
Fair Grove beat Conway 6-1 in the district semifinals before losing 5-2 to Skyline in the title game. The loss snapped Fair Grove’s 12-game winning streak.
Fair Grove graduated only one starter, but his departure will be felt in several ways.
Tanner Lumley had one of the best statistical seasons in Fair Grove Baseball history.
Lumley earned first team all-state honors in Class 3. He hit .494 with 14 extra-base hits, including four home runs, 31 RBIs and 15 steals.
As a pitcher, Lumley went 4-1 with a 2.10 ERA.
“Most importantly, the impact Tanner had on our program as a leader is something that is going to have a lasting impact for years to come,” Overstreet said. “Tanner was the heartbeat of our team last season and his leadership is a deep loss for our program.”
Lumley signed to play at junior college school Northeastern Oklahoma (NEO).
Fair Grove will look for roster depth with a solid group of underclassmen in the freshmen and sophomore ranks.
“Our practices should be very competitive and bring the best out of each player in our program,” Overstreet said.
Fair Grove begins the regular season March 18 at Marshfield.
