By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
2024 proved to be a challenging season for Bolivar baseball.
The Liberators finished with an 11-18 record, falling to West Plains in the district tournament.
Heading into his third season at the helm, head coach Darrin Ankrom believes the experience gained by his young players will pay big dividends down the road.
“We had a very hardworking group of seniors, but I knew that we would struggle because we were playing so many underclassmen in key positions,” Ankrom said. “While we took our lumps last year, that should be a key to our success this year.”
A quartet of seniors return to lead the Liberators this season in Garretson Cook (1B/P), Brant Sawyers (OF/1B/P), Remmer Carr (C) and Kanton Fisher (IF/P).
“These four guys have been three-year starters and have been with me since I took the job three years ago,” Ankrom said. “They know what my expectations are, and they are ready to turn the corner with this program and win now.”
Cook, an all-conference and all-district honoree, hit .374 last season with 21 runs batted in. On the mound, he compiled a 7-2 record and a 1.09 earned run average.
Ankrom on Cook: “Will be our leader on the mound as well as a force in the middle of our order. Set the school record for doubles last season. Committed to Missouri Western State University.
Sawyers, an all-conference selection, hit .261 with 16 runs batted in.
Ankrom on Sawyers: “Will bat in the top half of our order and play left field.”
Fisher, an all-conference utility player, hit .256 last season. On the mound, he posted a 4-4 record with a 3.79 earned run average.
Ankrom on Fisher: “Will be one of our leaders on the mound.”
Carr has committed to play at Drury University next season.
Ankrom on Carr: “Looking for him to have a big year behind the plate (catcher). Will bat in the middle of our order.
Junior outfielder Remington Manes also returns for Bolivar.
Ankrom on Manes: “Great outfielder with good speed. Has the potential to lead off for us this year.”
Ankrom also believes a quartet of varsity newcomers will compete for playing time this season in sophomore Bradyn Long, sophomore Evan Mortenson, senior Cade Raney and senior Gannon Young.
“All of these guys saw at least a few innings of varsity ball last year,” Ankrom said. “They have been working extremely hard, and I expect their transition to be a smooth one.
“We have a lot of guys that have played a lot of baseball. In years past we were always behind the eight ball when it came to experience. I feel that this year we have eight or nine guys that are a lot more experienced than we have had in the past.”
On the mound, Bolivar will feature plenty of depth as well as returning experience this season.
“This is the deepest our pitching staff has been since I arrived in Bolivar,” Ankrom said. “We return our top two pitchers from a year ago (Garretson Cook and Kanton Fisher) and have a good stable of arms behind them (Evan Mortenson, Bradyn Long, Blaine Chastain, Brant Sawyers, Remington Manes). A lot of these guys have already seen varsity mound time, so already having experience should be the key to our success.”
Following jamboree play at Nevada with Buffalo and the host school, Bolivar opens its season March 21 in the Harrison, Ark. Ozarks Classic Tournament.
