By Chris Parker
Exeter baseball is looking forward to the 2025 campaign with seven starters returning from last season’s 15-win squad.
“Success can be a great motivator, and it shows in this group,” Exeter head coach Matthew Tripp said. “I believe hunger can be an even bigger motivator. Let’s see if this group can start day one with a focus and hunger that matches their lofty goals.”
Cason Antle, Brexton Bowman, Kason Crowe, Cameron Brattin and Coy Aldridge are the team’s top pitchers.
“Antle is our ace and a consummate competitor. He finds a way to win even if he doesn’t have his best stuff,” Tripp said. “Brexton is a freshman who really set himself apart this fall in our pitching rotation. He is improving at a rapid pace. Kason is a senior who had little to no pitching experience when he came to us. He really has embraced the role of a crafty lefty. Cameron has been impressive on the mound since middle school. We are hoping this spring is his breakout season at this level. Coy comes in and eats innings when we need someone to pound the zone with fastballs. He is developing other pitches that may well get him some more pitching opportunities.”
Antle was 4-2 with a 1.43 ERA last season. He hit .234 with 12 RBI and 16 stolen bases. Brattin went 4-1 with a 5.25 ERA on the bump and added in 10 RBI and six stolen bases.
Nelson, a former conference player of the year, will hold down the catching position.
Antle, Ed Lokot, Brattin, Bowman and Noah Jordan are the likely infielders.
“Cason Antle can play any spot on the field we need when he is not on the bump. I plan on using his flexibility at the beginning of the season until we can decide where some other pieces fit best,” Tripp said. Ed Lokot tried a couple spots this last fall but settled into third quite well. His athleticism and talent allow us to move him around several positions with confidence. Cameron Brattin will be looking for a spot in the middle of the infield. He saw meaningful time at first and I’m sure he can repeat there, but I would like to see him move over and be a little more active defensively with his arm. Brexton Bowman saw a lot of time on the infield this fall. I look for him to be fighting for a spot and his flexibility in positions gives him a great chance to lock a spot down. Noah Jordan improved throughout the fall at second base. He’s going to be working for a jump offensively to get that spot nailed down.”
Crowe, Aldridge and Jax Brock are front runners to start in the outfield.
“Kason Crowe has improved tremendously over his time in our program. He did a great job in center this fall and leads the race to clinch that spot this spring,” Tripp said. “Coy Aldridge held things down in left field this last fall and did a fine job defensively. He’s a great athlete and a hard worker. We’re counting on his bat to take a jump this spring. Jax Brock was our main right fielder in the fall. He improved continually and he is working to get his offensive side of the game where we need it in order to help the team more.”
Crowe hit .321 with 16 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 2024.
Noah Beck, Mason Lee and Aiden Mena all have the potential to see time in the outfield.
Nelson and Crowe will be the team’s leaders.
“Kason Nelson and Kason Crowe will be leading the charge this season as our seniors,” Tripp said. “The class before them won conference every year and finished with a district title. Those are some big shoes to fill but they are up to the challenge.”
Exeter opens the season on Mar. 21 at home against Miller.
“I want us to be known for playing hard on game day and embracing the grind of practice and the season. Our successes will correlate to our level of effort day in and day out at practice,” Tripp said. “We expect to finish the season as conference and district champs. We have been overlooked the last several years, I pray we can remember how valuable that has been to us and we will not extend that same mistake to any of our competitors.”
