By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Kickapoo baseball enjoyed a successful season in 2022.
Led by a talented class of graduates including all-state catcher Noah Wilkinson, the Chiefs finished with a record of 27-8, falling to Blue Springs South in the sectional round.
“The 2022 senior class made great contributions to Kickapoo baseball and left their mark on the program,” Head coach Jason Howser said. “The 2022 team shared the Ozark Conference Championship and won the Class 6 District 6 Championship. Their consistent work and enjoyment to play baseball will continue because of this group.”
Heading into the 2023 spring campaign, a talented senior trio steps up to lead Kickapoo in Evan Vienhage, Cael McCarville and Brian Wamsher.
Vienhage, an all-state infielder and pitcher, hit. 366 with 3 home runs and 28 runs batted in last season. He is committed to play at the University of Central Missouri.
“Evan was our starting shortstop and closer last spring,” Howser said. “Evan has the most experience returning to our team in 2023. His leadership will be a must for us to have success this spring. His skill set is tremendous, and we do not plan on him leaving the field much this spring.”
McCarville, an all-conference and all-district infielder and pitcher, hit .320 with 4 home runs and 30 runs batted in. He is committed to play at Fort Scott Community College.
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“Cael was our starting third baseman last spring,” Howser said. “Cael had an outstanding 2022 offensively and steady defensively. His steady leadership and mental toughness will be counted on this spring. Cael will also pitch this spring and could play some 1B this spring.”
Wamsher, an all-conference and all-district catcher and pitcher, hit .314 last season with 18 runs batted in. On the mound, the Fort Scott commit posted a 4-1 record and 1.28 earned run average.
“Brian was our all everything last spring,” Howser said. “He played outfield, catcher, designated hitter and was in the top of our rotation as a pitcher. This spring, he will lead the staff on the mound and behind the plate. His work ethic to take care of his arm and body will allow him to have plenty of innings.”
Kickapoo also returns all-conference outfielder Tyrus Shurtz, pitcher/infielder Nate Owen, pitcher Hayden Strenfel and pitcher/infielder Rylan Smith.
A host of varsity newcomers will also compete for playing time this season, including Nathan Vaughan, Parker Lambeth, Sam Lewellen, Noah Marsh, Jalen Brandon, Peyton Wolfe, Silas McKee, Zack Light, Jackson Howser, Chase Hamme, Shaun Campbell, Colin Muldoon, Joey Cloninger and Jackson Shorter.
“How quick they can adjust to varsity baseball will determine who will be on the field,” Howser said. “We have a lot of competition in practice on a daily basis for playing time. This will make our team better.”
On the mound, Kickapoo will once again lean on a solid pitching staff this season to limit opposing lineups and anchor the team’s defensive efforts.
“We have always built our teams around the mound,” Howser said. “We have a full staff of players that will compete to earn innings to pitch for us this spring. We will stress to throw strikes and work ahead in counts. Our ability to field our position and hold runners is a key factor in pitching for us, as well.”
At the plate, Howser expects development to be a work in progress for a relatively inexperienced Kickapoo squad, particularly early on in the season.
“This will be one of the most inexperienced lineups we have had at KHS,” Howser said. “Other than the four full-time starters we return, there are not a lot of varsity at-bats. Our lineup will be fluid for a while, opportunity will be there for players to relax and perform. Again, competition within our team will set the lineup for late in the season.”
Despite the lack of experience, Howser expects a challenging schedule to have the Chiefs well prepared and battle-tested for another postseason run.
“Our expectations are to compete each pitch of every game,” Howser said. “If we do that we will like the outcome of the season. We will be ready to play playoff baseball when districts come around.”
Following a March 11 jamboree at Aurora with Willard and the host school, Kickapoo opens its season March 17 at Rogers, Ark.
