By Chris Neyenhouse
Osceola returns five starters and six lettermen total from a team that won one game for the third straight season. But head coach Ryan Dortch believes this year has a great chance to be different.
“We have a good core group who has been playing together at the high school level for three years,” said Dortch. “And we added a couple of players last year who slotted right in. We’ve lost a few pieces in the last couple of years, but we have the majority of our team still intact.”
Dortch will look to junior catcher Skylar Wohlers, who he says has “an amazing baseball IQ.” He says he is hoping his backstop’s impeccable work ethic rubs off on his teammates. Junior Preston Listerud anchors the pitching staff and will also play second base. Coach Dortsch calls him a quiet leader on and off the field who works hard and listens well. Wohlers will also pitch in relief. Sophomore Will Murray or freshman Lukas Gordon will catch for him when he does.
Murray will also play first base. The lone senior on the squad Levi Bouchard will play third base. The middle of the infield is still to be sorted out. In the outfield juniors Klayton Crabb and Keaton Davis will be key players as they try to sort out the other starter.
“We really need to focus on our fielding and limiting strikeouts this year,” Dortsch said. “Last year, we gave up too many free bases on errors and mental mistakes. This put our pitchers in a jam and upped their pitch counts, putting a lot of stress on them. We also struck out way too many times last year.”
Devin Bloom, Bryce Kerksieck, William Murray, Kayden Brewer, Zandon Brewer, Jake Hernandez, Hunter Short, Tristan Ketner, and Jakob Hammer are also in the mix for playing time.
“I expect that we’re going to compete in a lot more games this season,” said Dortsch. “We’ve improved in all facets of the game, and that will make us a more well-rounded team. I expect us to battle in every game, whether we are behind, or ahead, and to continue to grow.
Osceola begins the season March 19 at Jasper.
