By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
2023 was another successful season for Hollister baseball.
The Tigers posted a 17-9 record, falling to Rogersville in the district semifinal.
“As the season started we really struggled to find our identity,” head coach Trent Oxenreider said. “it wasn’t until mid April where we really started to find it.”
Heading into his sixth season, Oxenreider will have a significant rebuild on his hands due to a nine-senior graduating class full of starters.
“Due to graduation, the Hollister lineup will look completely different from in years past,” Oxenreider said. “Almost all names opponents became familiar with are gone. We graduated the last group of players that contributed on our final four team.”
As the lone returning varsity player, Ceagan Riewski, will lead Hollister’s massive youth movement this season.
Riewski, a sophomore pitcher and infielder, logged 1 save last season with 16 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched.
“Ceagan Riewski is the only returnee with any experience on the varsity level,” Oxenreider said. “He will be relied on to be our No. 1 on the mound, play shortstop and hit early in our lineup. Ceagan has played a lot of baseball. We will rely on his ability to understand the game and help our new guys transition into varsity baseball.”
With a single returning player from last season, a host of varsity newcomers will have the opportunity to immediately step into prominent roles in the lineup.
Junior infielder and pitcher Nolan Huck – “good defensive first basemen and only upperclassmen currently on our roster,” Oxenreider said.
Sophomore infielder Calvin Lamoureaux – “continues to improve and will find time in our lineup and the infield.”
Sophomore infielder and pitcher Claytyn Peterson – “We look for Claytyn to be a reliable arm on the mound and at one of the corner infield positions.
Sophomore infielder and pitcher Tyler Carpenter – “Big sophomore who we plan on to be a reliable arm on the mound and swing in the middle of our lineup.”
Sophomore outfielder and pitcher Cooper Kauffman – “Cooper will make an immediate impact in the middle of our lineup, on the mound and in the outfield.”
Freshman utility Ethan Daniels – “strong athletic freshmen who we plan on making an immediate impact on the varsity team.”
Freshman utility Owen Houser – “Very athletic freshmen with speed. Will play in multiple positions.”
Freshman utility Caleb Donathan – “Another freshman who will find himself as a utility type player.”
Freshman utility Riley Wallace – “Mr. Reliable. Another utility type freshmen who will move all over the field.”
“This young group looks to continue the tradition of competing hard and being a tough opponent,” Oxenreider said. “We expect to play the game right, play hard, and compete all the time.”
On the mound, Hollister will turn Riewski as its anchor to a very young pitching staff.
“We will have nine guys who will see time on the mound – eight underclassmen,” Oxenreider said. “Our keys to success will be competing in the zone. We must throw strikes. We will definitely be inexperienced on the mound, but with our inexperience, we have a great opportunity to grow each day and learn.”
At the plate, the inexperienced and unproven Hollister lineup will face similar challenges, with 8-10 underclassmen and a single junior.
Despite being inexperienced and unproven, Oxenreider sees his new lineup as an opportunity for proper growth and development.
“Being young allows the opportunity for our players to develop and learn right away,” Oxenreider said. “Each year in the past, we would have a core group coming back. Lacking experience is the biggest difference at this point.”
Following a March 8 jamboree at Forsyth, Hollister opens its season March 15 at home against Bergman, Ark.
