By Chris Parker
Fordland baseball will rely heavily on the sophomore class coming off a 13-win season.
“We are a young team with the bulk of our guys being sophomores,” Fordland head coach Sam Waterman said. “All of our guys have shown a lot of improvement since last year. Some might not be evident in games yet, but we are showing improvements. Many of our sophomores will have to play at the varsity level even if they aren’t quite ready for it. I look forward to seeing how we develop throughout the season.”
Luke Waterman (sophomore), Matt Hart (sophomore) and Trey Bellue (senior) will be team leaders according to Coach Waterman.
Coach Waterman on Luke Waterman: “Luke Waterman is capable of playing all nine positions on the field and will be our utility player. He will most likely play the position of whoever is pitching. This fall, Luke emerged as our best arm on the mound and will be looked to pitch big games for us this spring. This fall, Luke hit in the second spot in our lineup and hit .410. He just keeps getting better as he matures. Luke is a smart player who has played a lot of baseball. He has a high baseball IQ and really helps work with our less experienced players.”
Luke Waterman posted a 1.049 OPS in the fall. He had 12 RBI and 11 runs scored.
Coach Waterman on Hart: “Matt Hart is another player capable of playing multiple positions for us this spring. He will primarily play shortstop and pitch. If Matt can improve his control, he will be one of our top arms on the mound. This fall, Matt was our leadoff hitter and hit .440. When he gets on base, we usually can score some runs. Matt is a really good athlete and has the potential to be one of our best guys. I look forward to seeing him develop this spring.”
Hart had a 1.008 OPS in the fall. He scored a team-high 18 runs.
Coach Waterman on Bellue: “Trey Bellue will play third base and hit in the middle of the lineup. Trey is a good contact hitter. He usually moves the ball and doesn’t strike out or walk a lot. Trey hit .325 this fall. Trey will also be one of our top arms on the mound this spring.”
Bellue had 12 RBI in the fall.
This trio will also be the top three arms for Fordland on the mound. Waterman led Fordland on the mound with 29 innings pitched and 35 strikeouts in the fall.
Junior Logan Venable will be the team’s primary catcher.
“He (Venable) has been our primary catcher all three years in high school,” Coach Waterman said. “He receives the ball well and is becoming a better blocker every year.”
The infield lineup will feature Parker Cunningham (sophomore) at first base, Cole Davidson (junior) at shortstop, Hart and Waterman at shortstop with Bellue at third base.
Cunningham, Hart, Wyatt Morris (sophomore), Brody Ashley (sophomore), Elijah Lockett (sophomore) and Carter Kindall (senior) will be the key players in the outfield.
“In order for us to find success, the bottom half of our lineup needs to contribute more and turn the lineup over more times throughout games,” Coach Waterman said. “We need a couple of young guys to step up and give us valuable innings on the mound if we want to compete three to four times per week.”
Fordland opens the season Mar. 16-23 at the Pleasant Hope Tournament.
“I expect our guys to come every day and work to get better,” Coach Waterman said. “We have a lot of unproven players at the varsity level. They need to prove to themselves that they can produce at this level.”
