By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
No one knew what to expect in the first season of Greenwood baseball.
Just fielding a team was hard enough.
Greenwood had to scramble at the last minute to fill its coaching staff. Then, the new coaches hit the hallways to recruit players.
While a few players had experience in summer ball, the Blue Jays spent extensive practice time on day one fundamentals: hitting, throwing and base-running. Even how to wear the uniform.
Despite all those hurdles, Greenwood went 12-7 overall and finished runner-up in its district tournament.
“The team and players overachieved on many levels,” said Chris Adams, who enters his second season as head coach of the Blue Jays. “Overall, it was a very fun and enjoyable first season.”
The key to Greenwood’s surprising success? Pitching.
Assistant coach Tim Williams oversaw a pitching staff that didn’t allow a home run all season.
“We were lucky to have two good pitchers who had played summer travel ball,” Adams said. “Coach Williams did wonders with the pitchers.”
Greenwood’s 2023 squad will have a unique look. The roster is stacked with left-handed hitters and pitchers.
“We have about five left-handed athletes who will probably be in our lineup,” Adams said. “Positioning will be a little different for some of those guys – we may have a left-handed catcher sometimes, or a left-handed shortstop or third baseman.”
Greenwood welcomes back a trio of seniors in Trenton Zarechi, Nick Burri and Joseph Jackson. All three were big contributors in the first season.
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Zarechi, who started in the district championship game, will be an all-around workhorse for the Blue Jays. He’s expected to pitch, play catcher when he’s not on the mound, and hit near the top of Greenwood’s order.
Zarechi hit .515 with 12 extra-base hits and 25 RBIs plus 14 steals last season.
Burrri, who plays a second spring sport (golf), is one of the best athletes on the team. He hit just shy of .300 last season.
“Nick has a lot of raw talent and potential,” Adams said.
Jackson is the team’s most improved player, Adams said. He will pitch and see time in the outfield again.
Greenwood will move junior Carson Little from the infield to center field this season. Little, who hit .327 with 12 steals as the leadoff hitter last year, will also pitch.
Junior Kennison Zarechi is one of the team’s most versatile players. After being the everyday catcher last year, he’s expected to move to an infield spot this spring.
“Kennison had a great summer on the mound and at the plate,” Adams said.
With sophomore Chance Rose (UTL/P), Greenwood will have two of its top three hitters back in the lineup.
Rose had an outstanding freshman campaign, hitting nearly .600 with 14 extra-base hits, 25 RBIs and 15 steals. He led the Jays in total hits (40) and batting average.
“Chance may have to learn a new position this year, mainly because he is a good athlete,” Adams said. “He has high expectations to repeat his numbers from last year.”
Juniors Brady Gilmore (OF), Josh Putty (OF) and sophomore Steven Duran (P) round out the expected roster for year two.
“Coach Williams will be putting all five lefthanders on the mound,” Adams said. “They will see a lot of action during the year, along with Carson Little, Kennison Zarechi, Steven Duran and Trenton Zarechi.”
Greenwood finished its first regular season on a five-game winning streak. That momentum carried over to districts, where the Blue Jays knocked off Dora in the semifinals before falling to Norwood in the championship game.
Greenwood only had three seniors on its inaugural team, but they all made major impacts.
Alex Widman was a vital two-way player, serving as Greenwood’s No. 3 hitter while also going 6-0 on the mound.
“He had the ability to play multiple positions and was a consistent No. 3 hitter. He only struck out five times all year,” Adams said. “It’s going to be difficult to replace Alex’s offensive numbers.”
Tommy Pinegar (2B) and Zach Bailey (OF) were golfers who joined the baseball team a few weeks into the season. They quickly earned starting spots.
“They provided stability plus the senior leadership we needed,” Adams said. “They will be hard to replace both offensively and defensively.”
Newcomers to watch include senior Will Duncan (OF/1B/P), a left-hander who played on Greenwood’s summer league squad.
Freshmen Cooper Morgan (OF/1B/P), another lefty, and Tayven Zarechi (IF/P) could also earn playing time.
“We will have at least three players at a different position this year,” Adams said. “Our move-in players will immediately help. They had a chance to play with us in the summer, so they are somewhat familiar with what we do on the field.”
The Blue Jays will again play their home games at Barnhouse Field in west Springfield.
Greenwood opens the regular season March 21 at home against Bradleyville.
A tougher schedule awaits Greenwood this spring, but the Blue Jays are eager to prove 2022 was no fluke.
“We’ve added few new teams to make it a little more challenging,” Adams said. “Reaching the 12-win mark again will be tough, but if our left-handed pitchers develop and everyone can adapt to their new positions, we should be close to last year’s record.”
