By Chris Parker
Southwest baseball has a new head coach in Derek Mann this season. He spent the past five seasons as an assistant at Purdy. He inherits a program that finished 9-5 last spring.
“I got into teaching because I wanted to stick around the game of baseball, so it has always been a goal of mine to become a head coach,” Mann said. “I have applied to multiple places, but nothing really worked out. When I took the interview for this job it just felt right. The people, the atmosphere around the school and the ability to lead a program. I also knew they had a bunch of talent and were going to be a fun team to coach.”
Seniors Zak Corwin and Coy Shrum along with junior Brendyn Paulsen were identified as team leaders by Mann.
Corwin is a pitcher and utility player. In the fall, Corwin posted a .390 on-base percentage with 18 runs scored and 13 RBI. He earned first-team all-conference honors on the infield last season. On the mound, Corwin threw 30.1 innings with 39 strikeouts in the fall.
“Zak is an athlete you can put him anywhere and he will compete,” Mann said. “He has done a great job working hard and adapting to having a new coach his senior year. He is one that leads by example.”
Shrum is an outfielder. In the fall, Shrum scored 16 runs with 11 RBI on the strength of a .438 on-base percentage. He was named honorable mention all-conference in the outfield as a junior.
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“Coy is our leader in the outfield,” Mann said. “He takes charge out there and doesn’t let much drop out there.”
Paulsen is a shortstop and pitcher. On the mound, Paulsen threw a team-high 39.2 innings with 56 strikeouts and a 3.18 ERA in the fall. At the plate, Paulsen was a force in the fall with a 1.352 OPS while scoring 21 runs and driving in 19. He was named second-team all-conference as a utility/DH last season.
“He (Paulsen) is our ace on the mound and hits in the middle of the lineup,” Mann said. “He is the guy that wants the ball in the tough games and leaves it all on the field.”
Sophomore Tristan Morgan will join Paulsen and Corwin in the pitching rotation. Morgan, who will also play third base, was named second-team all-conference as a freshman. He had a 1.156 OPS with a team-high 22 RBI in the fall. On the mound, Morgan pitched 37.2 innings with 37 strikeouts and a 2.04 ERA.
Sophomore Tyler Meek took over catching duties in the fall and will be behind the plate this spring.
Junior Charlie Pippin (first base) and freshman Logan Gregory (second base) will join Paulsen, Corwin and Morgan on the infield.
Hunter Barnes (sophomore), Braden Garcia (junior), Caleb Ayer (junior) and Wyatt Taft (freshman) will join Shrum in the outfield.
“Pitching and defense are our two strongest areas. Throughout the fall those two areas carried us when the bats struggled,” Mann said.
Hitting and depth on the mound will be two places Southwest will need to develop.
“We have got to be more consistent at the plate. If we can become a more consistent team and execute our gameplan night in and night out then I believe we are a very tough team to beat,” Mann said. “We are very good at the top of our pitching staff but lack a little depth. We have a jam packed schedule which means our depth is going to be tested and some guys are going to get some shots at varsity innings to prove themselves.”
Southwest opens the season Mar. 18-22 at the Purdy Tournament.
“I expect us to compete every game,” Mann said. “With our fall season counting towards our conference, we set ourselves up to be able to win it if we take care of business. I also believe we have a good shot to win a district title and continue on in the state tournament.”
