By Chris Parker
Ash Grove baseball has high expectations with eight starters returning from last season’s 15-win team.
First-team all-state centerfielder Parker Crow and first-team all-conference pitcher Brock Mooneyham return to lead the Pirates.
Crow hit .438 with 18 RBI and 11 stolen bases as a junior. On the mound, Crow threw 15 innings with 29 strikeouts a 0.00 ERA and four saves.
“Parker has a lot of tools that make him a potent player. Whether it’s his speed on the bases and outfield, his power at the plate, or is great arm in the outfield and on the mound; he makes us a better team when he’s on the field,” Ash Grove head coach Berrah Brown said. “He will likely continue batting at the top of our lineup. He’s the spark in our offense. Parker will also see significantly more time on the mound.”
In addition to pitching and centerfield, Crow could see time at third base.
Mooneyham will be the team’s ace on the mound coming off a season where he posted a 1.01 ERA with 74 strikeouts across 34.2 innings pitched. At the plate, Mooneyham hit .368 with 11 RBI.
“Brock has very good command over all of his pitches. He does well changing speeds and keeping hitters off balance. His velocity also increased as the season progressed last year, making him an even tougher pitcher to face,” Brown said. “Brock is a gamer. He’s one of those big moment players. When he’s on the mound, the other players elevate their level of play to match Brock’s intensity. It’s really a different environment in the dugout when he has the ball.”
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Mooneyham will also play shortstop, second base and outfield when not pitching.
Wyatt Dennis (senior), Bryce Davis (junior), Cooper Burks (junior) and Caden Cochran (junior) will also be key pitchers for Ash Grove. Davis was a second-team all-conference pitcher as a junior.
Senior Jon Rollhaus returns behind the plate at catcher where he earned second-team all-conference honors last season.
Nate Trammel will play third base in his senior season coming off a second-team all-conference selection on the infield. Davis, a second-team all-conference infielder, will see time at shortstop. Burks (second base) and Dennis (first base) will round out the infield lineup. Burks was named honorable mention all-conference in the outfield.
Tyler Tummons returns to left field in his senior year to give the Pirates a second all-conference player roaming the outfield. He was named second-team all-conference last season. Kaleb Mullins (junior), Elijah Morrison and Cochran will also see time in the outfield.
Ash Grove will have a potent offense that will look to keep the pressure on throughout the game.
“Our ability to generate runs will be a strength this season. We are working on creating opportunities to score on offense. We have a strong lineup from top to bottom, and should be able to drive in runs in any situation,” Brown said. “Our team will need to focus on holding momentum throughout a game. Last season we didn’t capitalize in situations where momentum was on our side. We will have to keep our foot on the gas the entire game.”
Ash Grove opens the season Mar. 18-25 at the Pleasant Hope Tournament.
“As a team, we feel somewhat looked over. We have lost in the district championship game the last two seasons. The players really feel as if they have something to prove this season. I haven’t seen a team this motivated and focused on a common goal. They want to be the best team on the field,” Brown said. “Our expectations are to compete at a high level every pitch of every inning. We have a very high character, disciplined group of young men who play the game right. That’s what makes this team fun.”
