By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Following a 13-13 record the year before, Clever first-year head coach Brandon Cobb led the team to a breakout season in 2023.
While the Blue Jays posted a 25-7 record – the program’s best since 2012 – the season ended on a sour note, according to Cobb.
“We went 25-7 and lost to Forsyth in the district championship,” Cobb said. “It was a tough way to end the season, as we were up 4-1 going into the last inning and weren’t able to finish it off.
“I think we snuck up on some people and had a pretty solid season. I was really proud of the leadership and how we played together as a team last season. I think that helped us a lot last year and is something that this year’s team will have to have as well.”
A trio of seniors return to lead the Blue Jays this season in Lane Mendenhall, Brayden Verch and Lucas Owen.
Mendenhall, a pitcher and infielder, posted a 7-2 record and 3.79 ERA on the mound with 66 strikeouts. At the plate, he hit .419 with 1 home run, 19 RBI and 9 stolen bases.
“Lane was our leadoff hitter last season and did an amazing job,” Cobb said. “He will move to the middle of the order this upcoming season and will be one of our top starting pitchers and play in the infield when he is not starting on the mound.”
Verch, a pitcher and infielder, recorded a 2-2 record and 2.55 ERA on the mound with 42 strikeouts. At the plate, he hit .232 with 12 RBI and 16 stolen bases.
“Brayden was one of our better starting pitchers last season and started in the district championship game,” Cobb said. “He will be one of our top starting pitchers again this season. He is a crafty lefty that can throw all of his pitches for strikes. When he is not pitching, he will play center field for us, and we look to move him to the leadoff spot this upcoming season. His average was OK last season, but his on base percentage was great, and we hope that continues this year.”
Owen, a first baseman, hit .296 last season with 20 RBI.
“Lucas played first base for us last season and did a great job,” Cobb said. “He has a lot of pop in his bat and we look for him to hit in the middle of our lineup.”
A trio of juniors also return to the lineup in Landon Flood, Own Hall and Brennon West.
Flood, a utility player and pitcher, hit .368 last season with 1 home run, 32 RBI and 5 stolen bases. On the mound, he recorded a 1-1 record with a 3.10 ERA and 22 strikeouts.
“Landon had another great season,” Cobb said. “He hit in the middle of our line up and played all over the field for us. He started at seven different positions last year. He has a great swing and is one of the best athletes in the school. He will also throw a lot of innings for us on the mound.”
Hall, a shortstop and pitcher, hit .302 last season with 18 RBI and 13 stolen bases. On the mound, he posted a 2-0 record with a 3.20 ERA and 31 strikeouts.
“Owen did a great job for us last season at shortstop,” Cobb said. “He plays great defense and has a great arm. He swings it pretty well as well. We look for him to be our shortstop again and be one of our starting pitchers as well.”
West, a pitcher and infielder, started the season off with a 2-0 record and 0.91 ERA before an injury sidelined his progress.
“Brennon was arguably our top pitcher last season throughout the first few weeks of practice and then through his first two starts,” Cobb said. “Then, unfortunately, he suffered an injury and didn’t get to play anymore the rest of the season. We are excited to have him back and he will be one of our top arms on the mound this season.”
Cobb also expects a host of varsity newcomers to compete for playing time this season, including Curtis Ruble, Carson Rennison, Trace Barnes, Jacob Edge, Austin Scott, Payton Guccione, Owen Graaf and Talen Smith.
“I am excited for the upcoming season,” Cobb said. “I think we have a veteran group and I am excited to see who takes over the leadership roles and who wins the position battles that we have.”
On the mound, Clever will be deep and talented with Verch, Mendenhall and West all playing featured roles on the staff.
“I think our pitching staff is the strength of our team,” Cobb said. “We return Brayden and Lane, who were probably our top arms last year. We get Brennon back healthy, which is a huge deal for us. I don’t think we have a dominant arm that will just blow it by people, but I think we have a lot of guys that can pitch and throw quality innings for us.”
At the plate, Cobb expects a great deal of competition to take place before roles and strengths become clear early on in the season.
“I think we have a team that has the potential to be a good offense by the end of the year,” Cobb said. “I think the beginning will be finding the right guys and putting them in the right spots to succeed and we will try many different ones. I do think the strength of our lineup will be the versatility that we can have and the different defensive positions guys can play.”
Following a March 8 jamboree, Clever opens its season March 16 at Wheatland against the host team and New Bloomfield.
