By Chris Parker
Billings baseball has been on a great three-year run that has seen the Wildcats win at least 14 games every season and three consecutive district titles.
If the Wildcats are to keep that pace up, they will have to replace a wealth of graduated production from last season’s team that included six starters.
Grant Heimer, Kjelsen Kenniston and Dylan Edwards are three that will be looked to for leadership according to Billings head coach Brady Greear.
Greear on Heimer: “Grant is our all-around player, leader, and unquestioned heartbeat of the team. He is the kind of player every coach wants on their team. He will catch out of necessity but is a first-team all-conference infielder and outfielder. He will also throw vital innings for us on the mound.”
Greear on Kenniston: “Kjelsen can play all nine positions and play them well. He will have to do a bit of everything for us this year for us to get where we want to be. He will hit in the top four in the lineup and be one of our best starters on the mound. Kjelsen was 1st Team All District and All-Conference last year looking to do it again.
Greear on Edwards: “Dylan may be one the hardest workers I’ve seen. Dyl will be our leader on the mound and patrol the outfield when not toeing the rubber. His pitching, speed and ability to put the ball in play will be key for us this year.”
Edwards, Kenniston and Nolan Coats will lead Billings on the mound. Heimer, a natural outfielder, will be the team’s catcher. Logan Thompson could also catch some games.
Around the infield, look for Kenniston (first base), Brock Garbee (second base), Coats (shortstop) and Noah Woody (third base).
The outfield will feature Edwards (left field), Thompson (centerfield), Justin Bos (right field) and Kayden Blakemore.
“Our Defense and our ability to put balls in play will be our strengths this season. We know our pitching will be a bit thin at times with a heavy schedule, but we do believe that as a group we can get the job done,” Greear said. “We are always trying to improve in all areas. We will field a pretty young group outside of three seniors and will look to continue to get better as the season progresses.”
Billings opens the season on Mar. 18 at home against Dadeville.
“I expect to be competitive in every game we play,” Greear said. “I understand we can’t win them all, but I do believe we should be in every game.”
