By Chris Parker
El Dorado Springs baseball returns seven starters from last season’s nine-win team.
Brett Alexander and Aidan Rotert are returning seniors.
Alexander, a second baseman, hit .255 with 13 RBI as a junior.
“Brett is going to need to have a big year for us this year on the mound and in the outfield,” El Dorado Springs head coach Robbie Mossman said. “He works hard, and I hope that he sees the fruit of his labor in his senior season.”
Rotert, a right fielder, had seven total hits and six stolen bases last season.
“We are going to have Aidan have a big year for us,” Mossman said. “I anticipate us helping a lot on the mound this year, as well as improve on his on-base percentage.”
The returning juniors include Kandyn Ewert (shortstop/pitcher), Karson Burley (pitcher/outfield), Connor Bradley (catcher), Grady Crews (centerfield) and Cooper Greathouse (infield).
Ewert was named first-team all-conference and all-district after he hit .335 with 22 total hits and 12 RBI.
“Kandyn has been a first-team all-conference and all-district his first two years,” Mossman said. “We will need him to step up on the mound for us this year being a consistent pitcher that throws a lot of quality innings.”
Burley posted a 4.19 ERA on the mound with a .286 batting average at the plate.
“Karson continues to improve on the mound competing for our No. 1 spot on the mound,” Mossman said. “We will need his bat to continue to improve and play a solid outfield. He has been both an all-conference and all-district performer.”
Bradley earned honorable mention all-conference honors last season after driving in 14 runs on 12 total hits.
“Conner continues to improve defensively as a catcher,” Mossman said. “We need him to step up as a consistent, reliable hitter.”
Crews had six RBI and six total hits last season.
“Grady has done a great job for us in the outfield,” Mossman said. “We really need Grady to improve his ability to put the ball in play on a consistent basis so that we can take advantage of his speed.”
Greathouse contributed a .227 batting average with 10 total hits and seven RBI at the plate as a sophomore.
“This is a big year for Cooper as an infielder and a pitcher,” Mossman said. “We are going to rely on him to be an effective reliever and has the opportunity to be a starter in the infield.”
Marcus Mossman rounds out the returning players. The sophomore pitcher and first baseman hit .326 with 17 total hits as a freshman on his way to first-team all-conference and all-district honors.
“Marcus had a solid freshman year at first base receiving second-team all-conference,” Coach Mossman said. “We will need him to throw big innings on the mound with a possibility of playing some third base as well.”
Dylan Whitesell (senior), Cooper Brown (junior), Caysen Stephens (sophomore), Rylun Mays (freshman), Lane Mead (freshman), Skylar Crawford (freshman), Kane Caldwell (freshman) and Talon Robison (freshman) will be newcomers to watch.
Coach Mossman on Whitesell: “Dylan has a chance to play varsity on a regular basis at third base and pitcher. He is going to have to improve his fielding and ability to hit spots as a pitcher.”
Coach Mossman on Brown: “Cooper is transferring in this year. He most likely will be playing a corner infielder for us this year. I am interested in seeing what kind of role he will play this year.”
Coach Mossman on Stephens: “Caysen had a productive freshman season at first base and pitcher. We are going to count on him to throw innings for us this year, improving his arm strength and consistency at the plate.”
Coach Mossman on Mays: “Rylun has a chance to play varsity on the infield for us this year and give us some innings on the mound. He throws a lot of strikes and has an opportunity to help us out offensively as well. A key for Rylun this year is to continue to develop as an infielder.”
Coach Mossman on Mead: “Lane will be competing for a varsity outfield position. He has a very good arm that we can utilize on the mound. Lane just needs to refine his mechanics.”
Coach Mossman on Crawford: “Skylar will be competing for a varsity spot as well. He will be needed to throw some quality innings for us at the varsity level. I am not sure exactly where Skylar will be playing but has shown that he is a good outfielder.”
Coach Mossman on Caldwell: “Kane is going to be expected to play one of the corner positions for us this year. I would like to develop him as a pitcher throwing a lot of JV innings.”
Coach Mossman on Robison: “Talon has the ability to play a lot of positions well. Due to being a utility player, he has a chance to contribute at the varsity level as a freshman. I would like to see Talon continue to develop as a catcher and pitcher.”
“I am very optimistic this year. We have a lot of young talent, as well as, steady upperclassman,” Coach Mossman said. “We are going to rely heavily on our upperclassmen to continue to develop our newcomers. This is the first year that we have had serious competition at every position, which is extremely exciting as a coach. We have added several games this year, so our pitching development will be key. We are going to focus this year on our ability to play small ball, finding ways to consistently score runs. Focus will also be on making routine plays, consistent strike throwing, quality base running, and timely hitting. If we continue to develop our leadership, accountability and put the team first, we have the ability to surprise a lot of people by the end of the season.”
El Dorado Springs opens the season Mar. 21 at home against Dadeville.
