By Chris Parker
Parkview has a new head coach in Ryan Highstreet this season. He comes to Parkview after spending last season on Drury’s staff as an assistant. Prior to that, he coached for about 18 years in southern California.
Four all-conference players return for Parkview in Highstreet’s first season including Ethan Walker (senior), Delton Orcutt (senior), Klaytin Conrad (junior) and Aiden Tessaro (sophomore).
Walker was named second-team all-conference as a pitcher. He will see time at third base, shortstop and second base when not pitching.
“He is the hardest worker on our team. He leads himself first. When you have that from a senior it something special. The guys look to him and have trust,” Highstreet said. “Coming in as a new coach, it is nice to have a senior who buys in right away. It helps with building a foundation of what we see the program being in a few years. He will be our one or two on the mound and also leadoff or bat second for us. We expect a big season from him on both sides of the ball.”
Conrad was also a second-team all-conference honoree. He earned his accolades on the infield and play first and pitch this season.
Tessaro was named honorable mention on the outfield making him one of only three freshmen to be named All-Ozark Conference.
“Aiden has a tremendous motor,” Highstreet said. “He is 100% all the time. He is a tremendous athlete who has a ton of potential.”
Orcutt, an honorable mention selection at pitcher, will see time all over the field at pitcher, on the infield and in the outfield.
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Kris Young (junior) and Dylan Mahan (junior) will join Orcutt in the pitching rotation. Sophomore Holden Oliver and junior Gage Shivers will be behind the plate at catcher.
While Conrad holds down first base, a mixture of Young, Mahan, Orcutt, Walker and Kimo Logue (junior) will play the other three infield spots.
The outfield will feature Caleb Handley (left field), Tessaro (centerfield) and Orcutt (right field).
Highstreet has taken things back to the fundamentals for Parkview looking to build a program that hasn’t finished .500 since 2015.
“For my first year, we have really been focused on teaching the game and teaching it right,” Highstreet said. “Trying to create a standard built on being process orientated, competing and holding each other accountable. We have been in the weight room since August which was new for the guys and also have put a lot of emphasis on baserunning.”
Parkview opens the season on Mar. 17 at home against Branson.
