By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
What a difference a year makes.
When the Republic baseball team takes the field this spring, every member of its starting lineup will have made at least 15 varsity starts during the 2022 season.
That’s a significant departure from last March, when the Tigers returned just one starter from their district-title winning 2021 team. This year’s group is eager to improve on that 16-14 season.
“We are going to have good depth on our pitching staff this year and our lineup has the ability to score some runs in different ways,” Republic coach Curt Plotner said. “We are looking to continue to build off the success that we have had the last couple of years and find a way to advance in postseason play. Our players are excited about the season and we are looking forward to getting started.”
There’s good reason for that excitement, as Plotner noted the Tigers have as many as 16 players who are capable of being starters. The team’s depth and experience are both viewed as strengths.
“We have plenty of options at each position,” Plotner said. “If someone is struggling, I feel like we have a guy ready to step in at each position to help us win games.”
And there’s plenty of quality in that quantity.
The Tigers return three players who earned postseason honors – Gavyn Beckner, Andrew Schroeder and Garrett Lester – and have a total of four players who have already committed to play in college.
Beckner falls into both categories, as the pitcher/catcher/third baseman earned all-state honors after hitting .333, driving in 20 runs and going 3-2 with a 2.97 earned-run average as a junior. He’ll continue his baseball career at St. Charles Community College.
“Gavyn is just a gamer,” Plotner said. “He is willing to do whatever it takes to help our team win games. He is just so consistent for us whether that be on the mound, in the field or at the plate. He is someone that we rely on in many different aspects of the game and he is always prepared to compete in any situation.”
CLICK HERE TO FIND LINKS TO ALL OF THE SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
Schroeder (.351) and Lester (.354) are both outfielder/pitchers coming off all-district seasons.
“Those guys were great all year last year,” Plotner said. “Garrett is an on-base machine and is a great defender in centerfield for us. Drew kind of came out of nowhere last year. We knew that he was a really good defensive outfielder, but he forced his way into our everyday lineup with the way that he swung the bat. We are excited to have both of those guys back this year.”
Seniors Landon Carter (Missouri Valley, pitcher), Collin Myers (Highland Community, infielder) and Aidan Gregory (North Arkansas, outfielder) round out Republic’s current list of college commits.
Myers and Gregory are varsity newcomers, while Carter is ready to take on a more prominent role in the Republic rotation after going 1-1 last season.
“Landon will be counted on to eat up quality innings for us this spring,” Plotner said.”He has the ability to throw three different pitches for a strike.”
Junior Caide White was involved in five decisions as a sophomore, going 1-4. But he projects as a top-of-the-rotation talent and could be poised for a breakout year.
“Caide will be relied upon to lead our pitching staff with Gavyn this spring.” Plotner said. “He has three quality pitches that are all plus pitches at the high-school level. We are expecting big things out of him this spring.”
Junior roster additions Mason Mitchell and Myles Lozano will also see some time in the rotation, while Lester, senior Gunner Ellison and juniors Trace Harrington and Devon Hughes give the Tigers plenty of options out of the bullpen.
“We are really excited to watch these guys pitch this spring.” Plotner said. “We feel like we have really good depth with our staff and each of them will give us a chance to win games.”
The pitchers will primarily be throwing to junior Wyatt Woods, who hit .364 a year ago.
“He has great tools defensively and had an excellent summer offensively,” Plotner said. “He has the ability to be a real difference maker for us this season.”
Off the mound, Ellison (.250, 13 RBI, 13 stolen bases) projects as the team’s opening-day left fielder. Harrington (.271, 21 RBI) is expected to return to his role at first base, while Hughes (14 RBI) will be the shortstop.
Second baseman Connor Sandridge (.275, 14 RBI) rounds out a seven-player senior class.
Juniors Brett Hendrickson, Kanon Krol and Carter Nation are among several Tigers competing for the role of designated hitter.
Republic’s jamboree is scheduled for March 10 at Webb City. Carl Junction will also participate.
The Tigers will begin the regular season with three games in two days. They host Hillcrest on March 17, then travel to Columbia the next day for a doubleheader with Rolla and Rock Bridge.
Republic will open its Central Ozark Conference schedule with a visit to Ozark on April 4.
“I want people to know that we are going to play hard each and every day,” Plotner said. “We are going to give it our best day in and day out and play the game the right way.”
