By Chris Parker
Crocker baseball will be looking to build off a strong 14-7 fall campaign under new head coach Alex Shelton who guided the team for the first time in the fall.
Shelton expects seniors Tyler Busch, Logan Smith, Ely Harrison, Jase Guehrer and Skyler Marriott to be team leaders.
Busch on this year’s team: “I think our team strengths are that we are a hard-fighting team that doesn’t give up. We never give up in a game and we are loud with a lot of energy. This spring, we need to focus on hitting the ball even better. I am hoping for a winning record and a district title. I am looking forward to seeing my team continue to grow stronger and tougher together.”
Smith on this year’s team: “I think our team strengths are that we work very hard every day, we are scrappy on offense, and our pitching and defense have improved. This spring, we need to hit the ball even better and continue to work hard at practice. We need our whole team to help step up in different areas. I am hoping for a winning record and a district title. I am looking forward to playing with the team again and continuing to build our team comradery. “
Harrison on this year’s team: “I think our biggest team strength is that we have learned to never give up and fight all the way to the end of a game. I think we need to continue to hit the ball better this spring for us to continue our success from the fall. I am hopeful to win districts and to end with another winning record. I am most looking forward to just being with the team and winning games.”
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Guehrer on this year’s team: “Our biggest strength as a team is our determination, hard work, and the effort we put in. To be successful again this spring, I know we need to continue our team bonds and work as a whole to win, because it takes all of us. I hope we have fun this season and win a district title, but above all I am looking forward to the fun we’ll have and the lasting memories we will make together.”
Marriott on this year’s team: “In my opinion, our biggest strength is our hitting. We seem to always get the job done when required. for us to be successful this year, we need to continue to use teamwork and stay level-headed. I am looking forward to being with my friends and making this the best season yet.”
Busch will be the team’s primary catcher but will also pitch. Harrison was 5-0 on the mound in the fall over 22.1 innings. He will also play second base. Logan Smith will be in the outfield. Guehrer saw time at first base and designated hitter in the fall. Marriott was new to baseball in the fall and has made big strides.
Adam Newton (sophomore), Jackson Burney (sophomore) and Landon Pierce (sophomore) will round out the key pitchers.
Newton is the No. 1 pitcher on the team who had a 6-3 record with a 1.58 era over 53 innings pitched in the fall. He will also play in the outfield when not pitching after posting a 1.259 OPS at the plate with 27 stolen bases in the fall.
Burney threw 44 innings with 43 strikeouts with a 2.55 era in the fall. At the plate, he led the team with a .469 batting average and a .585 on-base percentage. He will also play shortstop.
“Over my 15 years of coaching I have had the privilege to coach a lot of very talented shortstops, but Jackson is by far the best defensive shortstop I have coached,” Shelton said. “He has tremendous range, good hands, and instincts. This spring we are looking for Jackson to build and grow as a player and to be a team leader.”
Pierce gained valuable experience on the mound in the fall while leading the team in RBI with 21 while holding down third base.
Junior Brock Ware (first baseman/DH), sophomore Jesse Goldsmith (first baseman) and freshman Tripp Caldwell (utility) will also see time on the infield.
Juniors Payton Ament, Eli Anderson and Seth Strutton will all be candidates for time in the outfield.
Pitching and defense will be strengths for Crocker baseball according to Shelton.
“We will continually pound the strike zone and challenge hitters,” Shelton said. “We have confidence in our defense to be solid and make the routine plays. By doing these two things consistently, we will give ourselves a chance to be in games nearly every night. Offensively, we will be scrappy and opportunistic, finding ways to push runs across the plate. I also feel that our team is growing in confidence and our team is still just learning what it means to be successful every day. We are learning how to compete day in and day out, even when things don’t always go our way. I look for this trait to become an asset for our team as we grow, and the season moves along.”
Crocker opens the season on Mar. 17 at Bourbon.
“We are very excited about the upcoming spring season,” Shelton said. “We are raising our goals even more this spring, as we look to see progress and development from our players. Combine that with positive attitudes, competitive spirit, and a ‘team first’ mentality and we are expecting big things this season.”
