By Chris Parker
Buffalo baseball returns two players who started every game last season with three others returning who saw significant varsity action.
“Bison Baseball will need to find new leadership this year to be successful,” head coach Calvin Dryer said. “We lost a good core of seniors to graduation last year that were in the varsity program for three or four years. We need guys to step up and lead us every day.”
Dryer is in his first season as head coach after serving as an assistant the past two seasons.
Seniors Jacob Burns and Dylan Potter will be team leaders. Juniors Parker Sissel and Kaden Abmeyer will also bring leadership.
Burns is the most experienced pitcher in the group. Sissel, Abmeyer and Lucas Jones are all juniors who will pitch as well. Sophomore Dayton Gonzalez was strong as a freshman and will see more action on the mound.
Abmeyer will handle the catching duties. Sophomore Matt Skinner will also catch when Abmeyer pitches.
Skinner, Isaiah Young (Freshman), Brenden McGregor (freshman), Burns, Joseph Sweaney (freshman) and Sissel are all in the mix for time on the infield.
Burns and Lucas Jones (junior) will hold down centerfield while a host of other players including Kole McCowan (senior), Potter, Jarryn Choate (junior), Drake Hodge (junior), Dayton Gonzalez (sophomore0 and Drake Haberman (sophomore) are candidates for corner outfield spots.
“We’ll be young this year,” Dryer said. “We have a good group of freshmen coming in and we will have more depth than we’ve had in the past. We will have a little more depth on the mound this year and I think that will help us compete day in and day out. Our pitchers have worked hard in the bullpen during the offseason and should be ready to hit the ground running.”
Buffalo opens the season on Mar. 15 at Wheatland.
“We’re going to have to be tough and gritty this year. A lot of new young guys in the lineup might struggle until they catch up to the speed of the game at this level. We will have to face adversity and battle through it. We’re going to have to be scrappy on the base paths and play hard-nosed defense. If we can do that, I think we will surprise a lot of teams in our area,” Dryer said. “We expect our boys to show up every day with a good attitude and strong work ethic. Our expectations are that we will continue to get better all year, compete for a conference championship, and be playing our best baseball come district time.”
