By Brennan Stebbins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The team’s overall record might not have been spectacular last season, with a 22-15 mark, but it was certainly another successful campaign for Webb City’s baseball team.
The Cardinals notched their ninth-straight winning season and their sixth district title in that span and went on to finish fourth in Class 5 while playing another difficult schedule.
“Our record probably wasn’t real indicative of how we played throughout the year,” head coach Andrew Doennig said. “We played a tough schedule with a lot of big schools and some from out of state. We took our lumps at times but found our stride around district time.”
Webb City, of course, graduated several key contributors, including cousins Kaylor Darnell (2nd team All-State pitcher) and Cy Darnell (2nd team All-State infielder) who was a two-year starter at shortstop. Kaylor was the team’s workhorse on the mound who started the district semifinals, district championship, state quarterfinals and then the semifinal game. He logged a total of 68 innings and went 9-3 with a 1.34 ERA and 77 strikeouts. And Cy was a .328 hitter who led the team with 43 hits, including nine for extra bases, while driving in 20 and scoring 28 runs. Both players were unanimous first team picks in the Central Ozark Conference.
They do return one All-State performer in catcher Shaun Hunt, now a senior, who earned second-team honors last spring and was also a unanimous All-COC selection. He batted .296 with six doubles and led the team with three home runs, 27 RBI’s and 17 walks.
Second team COC utility player Drew Vonder Haar is back as a senior after splitting time between third base and right field; he also pitched the third-place game. He was a .315 hitter who had the team high in doubles (11) and was second on the team in innings pitched (45), with a 2.33 ERA. All-district performer Sam Weller, another senior, returns after serving as the leadoff hitter and batting .302 with four triples and 32 runs scored. He was also 18 for 19 on stolen base attempts and saw time at second base.
The other big returner is junior Landon Fletcher, who pitched 44.1 innings and was 5-0 with 49 strikeouts and just nine walks. He finished with a 2.21 ERA.
Filling out the rest of the roster will be players like Payton Marshall, a reliever last year who tossed 18.2 innings with a 1.50 ERA and 15 strikeouts; he’s an athletic player who could earn a spot on the infield or outfield. Brett Korth pitched 10.1 innings with 16 strikeouts and a 2.03 ERA and should be a big piece in the back of the bullpen. Christian Brock was the team’s designated hitter for part of last year who hit four doubles and a homer in 45 at bats; he’ll play either first base or DH. Hunter Shull pitched 12.2 innings with 11 strikeouts and a 3.32 ERA. And Luke Beverlin pitched 10.2 innings with 11 strikeouts and a 3.94 ERA; he overcame some arm issues and will likely be the team’s No. 2 starter.
And Junior Andrew Young, who missed last season with a shoulder injury and only appeared once as a pinch runner, will take over in center field and is poised for a good year. Junior Cohen Epler is a middle infielder who should also see the field everyday. Sophomore Mason Williams is a “very, very talented defensive catcher” who could earn some time. The Cardinals also have a player who’s moved in from San Diego and will probably play in the outfield.
“We’re just really fortunate to have kids who are good athletes and kids who, thankfully, are patient to wait their turn and understand that every year there’s a crop of seniors who wait their turn,” Doennig said. “A lot of these guys who will get their chance this year got a taste for it last season. I think we’ll be a little bit more offensive than we were last year. We had some run production but it wasn’t great at times, we had to win 2-1, 3-2 a lot. I’m a little more optimistic as to what we can do offensively. We’ve got a really athletic group of kids and some kids who can really run, especially at the top of the lineup. We’re blessed with a little more speed this year.”
Webb City will host a March 8 jamboree with Carl Junction and Republic, before hosting Logan-Rogersville March 16 in the regular season opener. The Cardinals non-conference schedule is filled with interesting matchups: Marquette, Columbia Battle, Columbia Rock Bridge, Belton, Kearney, Lee’s Summit North, Oak Park, Grain Valley, Park Hill, Kickapoo, Parkview, and out-of-state opponents Fort Scott, Kansas; Bentonville West and Springdale from Arkansas; and John Hersey and Lake Community from Illinois.
“We’re just excited to get going and see where we’re at,” Doennig said. “After last year’s deal at the final four we want to get back to playing and see where we’re at. We’ll take our chances come May. We’re not sure where we’ll be when we get to that point but hopefully in a good enough spot to make a run at it. Sometimes that involves a little bit of luck and good timing.”
