By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Last spring presented a perfect storm of challenges for the Camdenton baseball team.
Not only did the Lakers lose several of their key contributors to graduation, many of the players who were expected to fill those roles were injured. That meant several young players were thrust into the starting lineup earlier than anyone might have anticipated.
The group finished 14-20 in Camdenton’s final season in the Ozark Conference, but their performance in a difficult situation inspired confidence in the program’s future as the team begins its first year as a member of the Central Missouri Activities Conference.
“The Class of 2027 emerged as a group to build around,” Camdenton coach Bryce Durnin said. “Our core is in that group. They got a lot of playing time and were able to see the skill and physical talent required to compete at our level. They were able to see the speed of the game and will be better for it this spring. Their urgency to make a greater impact has increased. It will make us better in the long run.”
Camdenton will also benefit from the return of some of those injured upperclassmen, namely Karson Durnin. The coach’s youngest son earned all-state honors as a sophomore but missed his junior year with an ACL injury suffered during football season.
Now healthy, he’s looking to end his Camdenton career on a high note before joining his oldest brother Kam at Wichita State.
“He has seen a lot of good and knows what it looks like to compete at a high level,” coach Durnin said. “His brothers may have helped put him on the map, but he is looking to make his own path this spring. Super athletic, easy mover. Karson will look to lead the Lakers this spring.”
Karson is in line to be the third Durnin sibling to play Division I baseball, as his brother Kade is a freshman pitcher at Texas Christian University.
Kade missed his senior season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and the absence of the brothers – and junior Paxton Yowell – was a major storyline last spring.
“That’s where the Class of 2027 emerged,” coach Durnin said. “Our theme became that of opportunities — and a large group of young players got thrown into the fire.”
Breakout stars included southpaw pitcher/first baseman Blake Potts, infielder Caden Horning and pitcher Braxton Turner — who all made key contributions as freshmen. They’re expected to be even better with a full year of experience under their belt.
Coach Durnin on Potts: “Entering a season where pitching is unproven, Blake will get first dibs as establishing himself at the top of the rotation. During the offseason, Blake has also stepped up his game at first base. He is pretty solid defensively and will look to play some infield if he continues to develop.”
Coach Durnin on Horning: “Caden played shortstop last season and got a ton of experience. He continues to work hard in the off season and find ways to help the team on the infield. Caden could see himself anywhere on the infield. His experience as a freshman has put him in position to be successful this spring.”
Coach Durnin on Turner: “Braxton will be called upon early to shut opposing hitters down and give the Lakers a chance to win. Braxton pitched early on varsity before getting the bulk of his innings on JV. This year, he is expected to get a longer leash and make a bigger impact on the mound.”
The Lakers will also need to develop some additional arms for the bullpen and rotation, and pitching remains the team’s biggest question mark.
Junior outfielder/pitcher Levi Layman could help answer some of those questions.
“He started playing towards the end of the 2023 season and has been a fixture in the outfield ever since,” coach Durnin said. “Levi will hit either one or two in the lineup and also make an impact on the mound.”
Karson Durnin has typically thrown out of the bullpen but could potentially be moved to the rotation if needed.
“We have no real established returning starters,” coach Durnin said. “We usually can count on two guys throwing over 100 innings. I can see us having eight to 10 guys throwing about 25 innings apiece.”
Whoever is on the mound will primarily throw to Brayden Burns, who returns behind the plate.
“He is an arm talent,” coach Durnin said. “As he continues to work on blocking and receiving, Brayden could be a player that is the difference between us being really solid. He continues to get really physical as his bat improves.”
Yowell will likely be the team’s second baseman, though he can play anywhere in the lineup.
“He can go get balls in the outfield just as good,” coach Durnin said. “He continues to look good during the offseason so I’m excited to watch him perform in games. Paxton will really help us out.”
Junior Tanner Scott was an all-conference selection as a designated hitter.
“Tanner is going to get his shot this spring to play outfield every day,” coach Durnin said. “He’s a physical kid that can swing it. Once he starts handling the off-speed pitches better, he will start moving up in the lineup.”
Sophomore newcomer Landon Klee further bolsters the deep Class of 2027.
“He’s a strong kid and could really (shore) up the infield for us this spring,” coach Durnin said. “I have high expectations for Landon. He could be the next really high-level baseball player to come out of Camdenton. Circle his name.”
Freshman outfielder Mason Sykora has also been impressive.
“There is still a lot to be seen from Mason, but early indications are that his bat will play,” coach Durnin said. “Time will tell if he can go get the ball in the outfield.”
With the mix of returning players and newcomers, coach Durnin hopes the team is able to channel some of the energy of some previous Camdenton teams, particularly the 2019 team that won a district title and the groups that went a combined 53-14 in 2022 and 2023.
“We had about a five-year stretch of really being competitive with 2022 and 2023 being in the top 10 all year,” the coach added. “I hope this team is known for bringing us back to the conversation again. This is a tough area for baseball and now there are expectations. The excitement around the sport in our area is at an all-time high. Was it just an era that had talent or is baseball what we do in Camdenton now? I hope this group puts us back on the map.”
The Lakers will travel to Dixon for a March 18 jamboree with the hosts and Waynesville, then kick off their first season as a CMAC school when Eldon visits on March 21.
Coach Durnin noted the Lakers are familiar with many of their new conference rivals from previous district tournaments.
“There is a lot of individual talent in that direction,” he continued. “And we will have to continue to develop as a team in order to compete.”
