By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
2024 was a bit of a rebuilding year for Ash Grove baseball.
Following 2023’s perfect 25-0 Class 2 state championship, graduation losses left the Pirates with a host of spots to fill in the lineup.
“We were tasked last season with developing young players to fill big roles after having graduated seven starters,” head coach Berrah Brown said of the 11-6 Pirates. “We were hoping for a chance at a district championship but lost to Lincoln in the district semis.”
Brown will, once again, be tasked with finding replacements for a talented graduating class, including all-state honoree and Southwest Conference Player of the Year Bryce Davis.
“Bryce was a one-of-a-kind competitor,” Brown said. “Whether on the mound or at the plate, he knew how to compete and win. He is already having success as a freshman at the college level (Missouri State – West Plains).”
A trio of juniors return to lead Ash Grove this season in Sawyer Burks, Kyler Reece and Ty Messley.
Burks, an all-conference and all-district third baseman, hit .375 last season with 16 runs batted in and 5 stolen bases.
“Sawyer had a great year at the plate last season,” Brown said. “He is a very good corner infielder and a leader on the team. We rely heavily on him for run production.”
Reece, an all-conference catcher and pitcher, hit .459 as a sophomore with 14 runs batted in and 5 stolen bases.
“Kyler will return to his role behind the plate,” Brown said. “He is a strong hitter with power and is able to hold runners with his arm. He will also see time on the mound as a starter. Kyler experienced an elbow injury in the second game of the season. The injury limited him to a DH role and, ultimately, season-ending surgery 12 games into the season. We are excited to see what he can do with a full season under his belt.”
Messley, a middle infielder, hit .288 last season with 1 home run, 12 runs batted in and 8 stolen bases.
“Ty has a great glove and is a knowledgeable player,” Brown said. “After Kyler Reece went down with an elbow injury in the second game of the season, Ty had to step into the role of catcher. Being a middle infielder, this was a difficult transition, but a sacrifice he was willing to make for the success of our team. He is poised to return to the middle infield this season where he is comfortable, which will allow him to focus more on his offensive ability.”
Sophomores Ethan Johnson (2B, OF) and Alex Acosta (UT) also return to the lineup for the Pirates.
Brown on Johnson: “Ethan stepped into a middle infield role last season as a freshman. He also saw innings on the mound. Ethan will develop into one of our top pitchers this season, and will be used as a utility.”
Brown on Acosta: “Alex earned a starting spot as an outfielder last season with his speed and effort. He’s developed into a great outfielder, and an aggressive base runner. He will be a key factor in our success this year.”
With several open spots in the lineup, Brown expects a host of varsity newcomers to step in and battle for playing time this season, including junior first baseman Joe Jolivette, sophomore corner infielder Elias Duncan, freshman utility Jaden Shorter, freshman outfielder Chase Acosta, freshman first baseman/catcher Landon Craid and freshman utility Jerimiah Burgess.
“We will be a young team this season with only one senior on the roster; however, our younger guys have a lot of baseball experience,” Brown said. “I believe we will be a strong offensive team with the ability to hit higher velocity pitching. We have a good mix of power and contact hitters that will put a lot of pressure on defenses.”
With several new arms on the mound this season, Brown believes his pitching staff will be a work in progress early in the season.
“We have a young pitching staff; however, many have experience at a competitive level,” Brown said. “We will need to develop a few arms for relief roles. We have a lot of kids that can throw hard but need to make the transition from thrower to pitcher. The key to our success will be developing young arms that will be able to throw valuable innings on the mound. If we can develop our young pitching, we should be a very competitive team going into the postseason.”
While Ash Grove’s lineup will be relatively young and inexperienced, it is also full of multi-sport athletes. Brown is confident that characteristic will ease the adjustment to varsity baseball for many of his kids.
“Our biggest challenge is that we are young,” Brown said. “There will be several players this year with little to no varsity experience. We will rely heavily on our returners to be leaders and help the younger and inexperienced players to gain confidence. Most of our kids are three-sport athletes and are used to being coached up. This gives them a mental advantage and sets them ahead in the process.”
Following a March 14 jamboree at Clever with Cassville and the host school, Ash Grove opens its season March 24 against Pleasant Hope in the Pleasant Hope Tournament.
