By Chris Parker
Plato baseball is poised to take a big step forward this season with seven starters returning to lead the Eagles.
First-year head coach Thomas Arrington identified seniors Ryan Steinbrink (catcher/pitcher/shortstop), Blake Holloway (catcher/shortstop/outfield), Hayden Pinkston (pitcher/infield), Karson Garrett (pitcher/infield) and Wyatt Groves (outfield) as team leaders.
Pinkston, Steinbrink, Garrett, Garon Miller (senior), Cole Chastain (freshman) and Mason Phegley (freshman) will be Plato’s key pitchers.
Pinkston brings a great fastball and equally strong off-speed stuff. Steinbrink has great command and can throw several pitches for strikes. Garrett is the team’s big-game pitcher. Miller has a live arm and lives in the strike zone. Chastain has been primarily used in a relief role. Phegley is the team’s only left-hander.
“Hayden Pinkston has increased his velo on his fastball and off-speed pitches,” Arrington said. “He’s learned how to mix both pitches well.”
Steinbrink, Holloway and Chastain will all be in the mix at catcher.
“Both Blake Holloway and Ryan Steinbrink have improved at the catcher’s position,” Arrington said. “Blake is a wall behind the plate. He’s really improved at keeping the ball in front of him. Ryan’s arm continues to get stronger. He keeps runners in check.”
The lineup around the infield will feature Marshall Breedlove and Quinton Dilley at first base, Chastain and Pinkston at second base, Holloway at shortstop and Garrett at third base.
Look for the outfield to feature Groves, Phegley, Triston Mears and Hildebrand.
“Our strengths will be pitching and defense. We are solid up the middle,” Arrington said. “We will need to greatly improve our offensive output and learn how to score runners that are on base.”
Plato opens the season on Mar. 15 at home against Steelville.
“We will go as our pitching and defense go,” Arrington said. “I expect to be competitive in all of our games. We want other teams to know that they were in a game with us.”
