By Chris Parker
Parkview baseball graduated an eight-player senior class and returns four starters this season.
Even with the graduation of a large group, head coach Ted Orcutt says Parkview baseball won’t lack baseball experience.
“Even though we graduated eight seniors, one of our strengths will be having players with good baseball experience,” Orcutt said. “Our outfield is the part of our team where we have retained the most players with consistent varsity experience from last year. We have a good mixture of different tools to use offensively, and we should be able to put together a lineup that, if everyone buys into playing their role, will produce runs and give us a good chance to compete this year.”
The four returning starters are: seniors Aidan Tessaro (P, OF,1B), Tyce Heslin (1B, P, C) and Holden Oliver (C, P) along with junior Jermaine Townshend (OF, 2B, C).
The pitching staff was hit hard by graduation.
“Parkview lost eight seniors last year, and many of them were pitchers. As such, we are at a place where we have a lot of younger players who will be battling for a spot on the mound,” Orcutt said.
Tessaro will likely be atop the rotation.
“Aidan Tessaro, a senior lefty, is likely to lead the pitching staff for us,” Orcutt said. “He has great command and poise on the mound. He is a very intelligent pitcher who changes speeds well and attacks the strike zone with a variety of pitches including a quality slider.”
Heslin brings a good frame to the pitcher’s mound.
“Tyce Heslin has a tall, strong frame and when he is consistent in the zone, he has the stuff and potential to really tip the scales for our pitching staff,” Orcutt said.
Sophomore Kooper Bullock saw varsity action as a freshman.
“Kooper Bullock was called upon many times last year in long relief situations and performed well,” Orcutt said. “He challenges hitters, changes speeds, and has a very good right-handed changeup.”
Brayden Nottle and Mason Seiler will also be in the mix for innings.
“Brayden Nottle and Mason Seiler are two big righties with good arm strength who the coaches are hoping will be able to step into varsity pitching roles,” Orcutt said. “Nottle, a sophomore, got limited varsity innings on the mound last year, but performed well when called upon. Seiler, a freshman, looked good in his outings with the Parkview summer team.”
Oliver usually catches but is also a weapon on the mound.
“Holden Oliver, though usually the catcher, also has very good arm speed as well as a quality changeup and a sharp 12-6 curveball,” Orcutt said. “Because of his role as catcher, it can be hard to get him enough time on the mound to be consistent, but he is another one who can contribute.”
Oliver, who is also an all-conference football player, will handle most of the catching duties with junior Jermaine Townsend also being able to take innings behind the plate.
Around the infield look for a mix of Heslin at first base along with Bullock, Townsend, Nottle and Seiler.
“Our infield is the part of our team that will see the most turnover from last year,” Orcutt said. “We feel that the physical talent and overall individual playing experience is there, but the guys need time in the field together in game situations to iron things out.”
The outfield will feature a Tessaro in center and Townsend in left. Alessandro Danko and Nick Skelton will also look for time in the outfield.
The senior group will be the key for the team.
“Our seniors, Aidan Tessaro, Tyce Heslin, Alessandro Danko, and Holden Oliver will be team leaders this year,” Orcutt said. “Tessaro is an even-keeled young man who will provide a great example of the type of calm it takes to stay one’s best through the many games of a baseball season. Heslin, a senior who has committed to play football at Missouri S&T, is a great example of hard work and dedication to thinking the game that will be much needed with the younger players. Oliver is an intense ball player who will bring a lot of energy to the team that will hopefully spark an intensity in the other players as well. Danko, is a great example of a team player. He has a genuine joy in seeing others do well and he is always verbally encouraging other players, and the team as a whole, to do and be their best.”
Parkview is looking for its first season with double-digit wins since 2018 and first season at or above .500 since 2015. This group is hoping to be a building block back to consistent winning.
“We want this to be a team that builds expectations,” Orcutt said. “We know that teams that are successful are built on what they expect from themselves, and what they are confident they can expect from each other as a team. We want every player and coach to set a high standard for those kinds of expectations, whether it be on the field, in the dugout, or in the classroom.”
Parkview opens the season Mar. 24 at the Clever ROTB Tournament.
“It would be easy to say something along the lines of it being a rebuilding year with us having lost eight seniors, but the fact of the matter is that we have enough guys with good knowledge and experience that I think we stand to be competitive every game so long as we take things one pitch at a time and stick to the fundamentals,” Orcutt said. “The coaches are excited because the players this year are a group with positive attitudes who seem to have a knack for encouraging and picking each other up and for having good intensity in practices that will hopefully carry over into the games.”
