By Chris Parker
Mansfield baseball will have a new look from last spring with only one player that started every day returning.
This year’s version of Mansfield baseball will be a tight knit group with strong chemistry.
“Most years we have a player or two that leads the team on and off the field. However, this year we have a great group of guys that have tremendous team chemistry. We aren’t led by one or two players, it’s more of a core group of guys that hold each other accountable and pick each other up. Each individual guy brings a presence to the team each day and as a unit we rely on that person to bring his best to help us find a way to win. Each is valuable in their own way,” Mansfield head coach Joe Garrison said.
Kaden Coble, Carter Garrison (junior) and Charlie Grubbs (sophomore) will be the team’s key pitchers.
Coble, the lone returning full-time starter, had a 3-2 record and a 2.28 ERA in the fall. He threw 27.2 innings with 35 strikeouts.
“Kaden is a bulldog on the mound,” Garrison said. “He goes right at hitters with great command of four pitches which is evident with allowing only six walks in 27.2 innings pitched. He has a pretty good knuckleball.”
Carter Garrison posted a 3-2 record with a 2.33 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 30 innings pitched in the fall.
“Carter pitches, meaning he doesn’t overpower hitters but commands the location of his fastball and off-speed effectively on the mound to get hitters out,” coach Garrison said.
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Grubbs was 2-1 with a 0.70 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 20 innings pitched in the fall
“Charlie has shown his leadership skills on the mound although only being a sophomore,” Garrison said. “He challenges hitters and prides himself with a good pick off move.”
Lone senior Tanner Indendi will be behind the plate at catcher.
Around the infield, Coble will hold down shortstop when not pitching. He is .302 with a .466 on-base percentage and 10 RBI. Carter Garrison could see time at all the infield positions except catcher. He brings back a .492 on-base percentage with 14 RBI. Judd Watterson (junior) will see time at the corner infield spots and pitcher. Grubbs will play first base and pitcher and returns with a .388 on-base percentage. Braden Tate (sophomore) was injured for the fall season, but he is healthy now and will play second base.
Brock Gray (junior), Ashton Pierson (junior), Austin Kingery (junior) and Blake Henry (sophomore) will all see time in the outfield with Gray and Pierson also pitching. Gray was a strong hitter last fall with a .565 on-base percentage. Pierson stole nine bases with a .377 on-base percentage. Kingery posted a .306 on-base percentage. Henry stole 10 bases and drove in nine runs behind a .360 on-base percentage.
Mansfield made big strides in a 10-5 fall campaign that Garrison thinks will serve as a springboard into he spring.
“As a team, we made leaps of improvement this past fall,” Garrison said. “We replaced eight everyday starters from last spring and started our first game of the year with six different players that had only one hit on the varsity level combined. We finished the 15-game fall season 10-5 with a team batting average of .306. I believe that as the spring progresses, we will continue to see the Lions grow and toughen up as a group. We hold high expectations for ourselves and don’t settle for mediocrity.”
The team-first mentality will be a strength for Mansfield baseball.
“Our team strength, without a doubt, is our team chemistry,” Garrison said. “This group has decided to put the team’s success ahead of themselves. This attitude has created an environment that helps us to grow and get better every day. When a player comes back to the dugout, he knows the entire team is backing him. They realize it takes all of us to win.”
Garrison will look for a stronger defensive performance this spring.
“We need to improve our defensive numbers,” Garrison said. “This fall we committed too many errors. I believe that as our experience increases, so will our defensive capabilities. It is key for us to limit our errors to give ourselves a chance to win against anybody.”
Mansfield opens the season on Mar. 17 at Willow Springs.
“My expectation for this spring is to take a team with little experience and drive them to be their best,” Garrison said. “We have a tough schedule that will challenge us and prepare us for what is always a tough postseason. I believe to perform our best when it counts the most, you have to be tested. Through tough tests you learn the most about yourself and can gain the confidence to rise to the next challenge. I am looking forward to seeing just how tough the Mansfield Lions become.”
