By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For head coach Robbie Teaster, returning all nine starters and 11 lettermen from last year’s team is a nice way to commence the 2025 season.
The Tigers did not lose one player to graduation or transfer, so Teaster is counting his blessings.
“It is exciting that we can continue building on what [former skipper Trent Oxenreider] built; trying to move forward and get better each and every day,” Teaster said.
Returning starters this year include the following: Cooper Kauffman (junior, P); Nolan Huck (senior, 1B); Ceagan Riewski (junior, SS/P); Ethan Daniels (soph., utility); Sam Hebert (soph., OF/P); Owen Houser (soph., utility); Caleb Donathan (soph., OF/P); Cole Escobar (soph., OF); and Riley Wallace (soph., 2B/P).
Players to watch include:
Kauffman, who led the way on offense last year as he smashed a .352 average, one home run and 14 RBI (team co-leader with Daniels).
Kauffman also will serve as team’s primary hurler. He owned a 5.65 ERA last year.
Daniels smashed his way to a .284 average while belting out 14 RBI and one home run.
Huck hit .276 and Riewski hit .297
“We are going to be young, but we are going to be competitive and learn how to win the close games,” he said. “Last year, lost five one-run and two-run ballgames. We have to figure out how close out, and when you play as many baseball games as we do, you have to have pitching depth. That looks like that is going to be the strength of our team — our depth off the mound.”
As of mid-February, the catching duties have yet to be decided, but keep an eye on Houser and Daniels, as well as freshmen Ezra Weihey and Yadi Alvarado
“Right now, we are looking at about three or four kids,” Teaster said. “We have two freshmen who are really talented, they are in the mix for it. And Daniels, a sophomore utility guy who plays third and off the mound; and then Owen Houser, who is a utility kid who also plays centerfield and left field. We are going to do [a] committee until we find one.”
Other players to watch this spring include Riewski: “He has a live arm,” Teaster said.
Junior outfielder and pitcher Parker Brotherton, who hit .273, is another.
“He has exploded. He can also be our number one; he just has to log some more innings,” Teaster said.
Freshman Elijah Bebee is a newcomer who continues to impress this winter.
“He is going to be on the top end of our rotation,” Teaster said. “We have six guys right now with heavy varsity experience, and a freshman who should log a lot of innings for us.”
The Tigers defeated Ava 9-2 before falling to Logan-Rogersville 12-1 at last year’s Class 4 District 10 Tournament, which has helped galvanize the group.
“The offseason has been great; had about everyone out there who is not playing basketball,” Teaster said. “When you work hard and have a little bit of talent good things happen.”
The Tigers will hit the road March 14 as they will play in the Forsyth jamboree, joining Reeds Spring.
The home opener is March 20 against Mountain Grove.
