By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Coming off its most successful season in eight years, the Galena baseball program is hoping to take things even further this spring.
The Bears clinched the Southwest Central League title, won a district championship and reached the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2017.
They ultimately lost to Iberia, who closed the book on an undefeated season with a state title. But the 19-9 finish was Galena’s best-ever under coach Derwyn McGownd.
“Last year’s team accomplished the most goals that any team — since I have been here — has accomplished,” said McGownd, who enters his sixth year with the program. “We set our goals at the beginning of the season to win the conference, win the district and anything beyond district would be great.”
There’s reason to believe the Bears could be even better in 2025, as they’ll return five full-time starters. That includes all-state catcher Bryce Wall, one of four seniors on the team.
“Last season’s district and sectional wins set the standard for this spring, but we want to raise the bar,” Wall said. “By staying hungry, humble and putting in the work, I hope the program can reach those heights.”
The Bears will have to replace their top pitcher and hitter, Chase Robertson, who McGownd called “the heart of the Galena team.” Now at Neosho County Community College, he went 7-1 and batted .500 in his senior season.
No. 2 pitcher Garret Lewallen, who went 6-2, also graduated — leaving the Bears without the pitchers who won 13 of their 19 games last season.
They’ll turn to senior pitcher/first baseman Wyatt Doak for some of that production. The SIU-Edwardsville commit hit .287 and drove in 21 runs last spring, collecting all-conference and all-district honors. He is now in line to be the team’s ace.
“He had a very good fall on the mound and at the plate and we hope it will continue into this spring,” McGownd said.
Wall, who has been the starting catcher since his sophomore season, is also looking for another big spring. He batted .360 while going 2-1 on the mound last year.
“We will need him to continue his great job of calling the game for the pitchers,” McGownd said. “He will also be called upon to help us on the mound when we need him to. His hitting continued to improve with his hard work this off-season.”
Blake Wall, Bryce’s twin brother, earned all-conference and all-district honors after hitting .342 last season. He’ll be the team’s starting second baseman.
“We will look for him to become our two-hole hitter,” McGownd said. “Blake had a solid spring and fall at the plate. He has shown he can handle the bat.”
Junior utility man Cody Jones, who stole 19 bases last spring, took over the leadoff spot during Galena’s fall season. His versatility and speed make him a valuable part of the lineup.
“He can play the outfield, shortstop and has even played third base,” McGownd said. “He may even be able to help us on the mound.”
Sophomore outfielder/pitcher Jaxon Foster also had significant improvements between the spring and fall seasons, nearly doubling his batting average to .346.
“He also had a very good fall on the mound,” McGownd said. “We will need him to continue to improve his pitching.”
Galena will also benefit from several varsity newcomers, including senior Tristan Papazian.
“Tristin has been working to become a solid pitcher and will have a starting role,” McGownd said. “He is going to need to work on gaining better control of his pitches. He could be our starting third baseman, but he is going to have to put in the work to improve his hitting.”
Junior outfielder Seth Hatcher will also look to crack the lineup.
“He will be competing for a starting position or could be used to fill in with certain pitchers on the mound,” McGownd said. “Seth has been working hard in the offseason.”
Sophomores Andru Foster, Aiden Keithley and Esiya Weeks will push for starting jobs.
McGownd on Andru Foster: “Andru will have the opportunity to become our everyday starting shortstop. Andru has worked hard on his hitting, improving it by almost 200 points from his freshman year to this past fall. He will also need to give us innings on the mound.”
McGownd on Keithley: “Aiden is one of our hardest working kids we have. He is determined to get on the field if at all possible. He will get a chance to play third base and could find some time as our DH also. Aiden could help eat some innings on the mound.”
McGownd on Weeks: “Esiya is another underclassman that is working hard to get better in the field and at the plate. He will be competing for an outfield spot and could find his way into the starting lineup. He will need to improve on his hitting to be the everyday starter.”
A pair of freshmen — Joell Simpson and Cayden Barron — got some varsity experience during Galena’s fall season and will look to build on that success in the spring.
“I think the key for us is how our inexperienced players will step up and contribute at the varsity level,” McGownd said. “Nothing really changes in our philosophy of the game. We will still try to steal a base or two, try to get bunts down when we need to and throw as many strikes from the mound as we can.”
The Bears will host Blue Eye and Hurley for a March 14 jamboree, then open the regular season when Wheaton visits on March 21.
“I want this team to compete at a higher level than they thought they were capable of,” McGownd said. “Once they understand the attitude that we can beat anyone that takes the field with us, it will allow us to maybe win some games that otherwise we might not have.”
