By Chris Parker
Lockwood baseball is poised for a bounce-back season with eight starters returning from 2022’s five-win campaign. Six of those players earned some form of postseason honors.
Lockwood head coach Adam Grisham expects seniors Dylan Snider, Elijah Kerr and Rayder Boyd along with juniors Skyler Weimer and Hank Eggerman to be team leaders.
Snider was named first-team all-conference as a utility player last season. He will be the team’s top pitcher and see time at third base, shortstop and in the outfield. On the mound, Snider threw 42 innings with 49 strikeouts last season. At the plate, he had a .375 on-base percentage.
“Dylan Snider is a baseball player. He loves the game and can play all the spots. He’s consistent on the mound and has great control and off-speed. He’s a smart baserunner and knows how to make plays,” Grisham said. “Dylan has had to throw some tough games the last couple of years. He has experience on the bump. He’s going to hit all his spots. He’s added velocity. He’s confident when he’s on the mound.”
Kerr, a second-team all-conference selection at catcher, returns behind the plate. He had a .347 on-base percentage in 2022.
“Kerr has developed into an all-around great catcher. He’s a brick wall with a cannon for an arm,” Grisham said.
Boyd returns, an honorable mention all-conference honoree on the infield, will play third base and pitch in relief.
“Rayder has been a staple over at third since his sophomore year,” Grisham said. “He’s dangerous with the bat in his hands, super quick hands.”
Weimer will play in the outfield and some catcher along with filling innings on the mound. He was selected first-team all-district in the outfield as a sophomore. He threw 24 innings with 32 strikeouts last season.
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“Weimer took a big step forward last year as a defender and a pitcher. Depending on who is pitching, he will have to move around the outfield and infield. He threw some good games last year. I expect an even better year this year,” Grisham said. “Skyler has added some velocity to go with his control. (He has a) killer curve ball.”
Eggerman is a strong defender who will see time at second base, catcher and pitcher.
“Hank’s a very consistent defender,” Grisham said. “He practices and plays at 100%. He sets the example for everyone else.”
Sophomore Nik Thieman will be a third starter for Lockwood on the mound who will also play shortstop.
“Nik got baptized by first his freshman year last year,” Grisham said. “He handled better than a freshman should have. He’s got velocity, he’s got control and he’s versatile.”
Izaac Taylor, who was named honorable mention all-district on the infield, will come out of the bullpen. He will play first base when not on the mound.
“Ike had a tremendous year last year as a sophomore,” Grisham said. “He became one of our most reliable defenders last year at first base, gaining an honorable mention honor for our district. He made it his craft. He takes every rep at 100%, never stops working, loves the game, hit in the five-hole most of last season, and is poised for a great junior year.”
Senior Blake Cossins will be in the outfield for Lockwood.
The team will be without senior Kamon Cooper who will miss the season due to injury.
Defense will be a strength for Lockwood.
“We should have a very solid defense. Eight guys are coming back to positions to a team that committed five throwing errors last season. If we can halve our fielding errors, we could be very frustrating to play against,” Grisham said. “A couple years ago a coach told me after a win, ‘you guys just don’t make mistakes.’ That’s been a goal ever since. A team that just does the small things correctly. Pitch to the spot, play catch in the field, and put the ball in play.”
Lockwood opens the regular season Mar. 17-20 at the Lamar Tournament.
“We have a tough schedule,” Grisham said. “We play in the competitive Southwest Conference; all those teams are tough. We have to get better throughout the season. We have a lot to prove to get to where we want to go. I expect this team to get a shot at another district championship game.”
