By Chris Parker
Sarcoxie baseball won double-digit games for the first time since 2013 last year posting a 10-15 record. The Bears are set up to improve on that record this season with eight total starters returning this season.
Seniors Dugan Pogue (catcher), Jesse Law (centerfielder/pitcher) and Kade Kellhofer (first baseman/pitcher/designated hitter) and junior Caleb Chrisman (shortstop/pitcher) will be leaders according to head coach Chris Mettlach.
Mettlach on Pogue: “Dugan is a two-time first-team all-conference and district catcher. He would be three-time had he not blown his knee out his sophomore year. Dugan is a prolific hitter and solid catcher who will play at (Mission University) next year. Dugan does a great job controlling the game in front of him defensively. Dugan also returns the most wins and innings pitched for us on the mound. He has really grown as a leader and stepped into a leadership role this offseason. I’m really excited to see where he takes us.”
Mettlach on Law: “I think he is the fastest kid I’ve ever coached. He is incredible in the outfield and offensively drives the ball really well. He frequently makes routine plays non-routine offensively with his speed and effort. Jesse is a great kid and a better leader who does a good job of holding everyone accountable.”
Mettlach on Kellhofer: “Caleb was a second-team all-conference and all-district infielder last year. Caleb took over the shortstop role midway last year and really flourished there. Caleb swings it really well and has a live arm on the mound. I anticipate Caleb making a big jump this year overall.”
Mettlach on Chrisman: “Kade has been a three-year starter for us at first base and on the bump. Last season he hit .300 and is our second returning leader in innings pitched. Kade is a true “glue-guy” in our dugout. He is a great leader for our young guys, works hard in his role, and is a great teammate.”
All four will be key pitchers this season. Pogue had 35.1 innings pitched with 40 strikeouts, giving up 13 earned runs on the season. Kellhofer is a big left-hander who pitched 23 innings last year. Chrisman “probably hast the best stuff on anyone on our staff” according to Mettlach. Law will be an innings eater and quality reliever this season.
The infield will feature Pogue (catcher), Kellhofer (first base), Josue Dionicio (second base), Chrisman (shortstop) and Lane Everts (third base).
Law, Braydon Muller, Chris Lara, Chrisman and Ayden Welch are all in the mix for a spot in the outfield.
“We are pretty deep this year so there will be a lot of competition for starting positions going into our first game on Mar. 16,” Mettlach said. “Guys are going to have to compete.”
That depth will give a lot of options for Mettlach and creates good competition in practice.
“I think our overall depth will be a huge strength for us this season. We have a solid core of returning players as well as a group of young guys with great potential. Whereas at times last year we had to survive at times, this season we will have guys ready to step up,” Mettlach said. “I think this year our team defense has the potential to be a huge strength, we have had a good summer and off-season defensively making routine plays and occasionally special ones.”
Sarcoxie opens the season at the Lamar Tournament Mar. 15-18.
“Our goal as always will be to strive to compete for championships,” Mettlach said. “We will try to get better each day and take care of the little things to try and continue to build a good foundation for this program going forward. We took some big steps last year, finishing over 10 wins for the first time in over a decade and winning a district game for the first time in 16 years. But that is all over, that is old news. We have to continue to take more steps this season. With a good mix of returners and talented newcomers we will have a chance to field a pretty good lineup if our guys commit to the process.”
