By Chris Parker
New Heights Christian baseball posted 11 wins last season, which is tied for the most since at least 2010 when MSHSAA started putting records online. That number could go up this season with eight starters returning.
Smoke Ezell (senior) and Broderick Burns (sophomore) will be the top two pitchers. Jayce Walker (senior), Josh Anderson (senior), Jace Bowen (junior) and Lincoln Smith (junior) will also provide quality innings.
Burns struck out 39 in 33.1 innings with a 2.70 ERA. He also hit .323 with 15 RBI. Ezell had a 3.24 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 30.2 innings.
Ezell and Burns will split catching duties.
Around the infield, look for Kaleb Kennedy (senior first base), Bowen (second base), Anderson (third base/shortstop) and Walker (third base/shortstop).
Anderson hit .492 with 24 RBI and 25 runs scored last season. Walker hit .377 with 13 RBI and 24 runs scored.
Owen Horton (junior left field), Liam Nelson (senior centerfield), Phillip Thompson (senior right field) and Caleb Hipple (senior right field) will be the outfield defense.
“The strengths of our team will be our experience and leadership of our upperclassmen. We should hit it well and defend with consistency,” New Heights head coach Phillip Jordan said. “We will need to continue to improve our consistency in throwing strikes on the mound and avoid scoring droughts in the middle innings.”
New Heights Christian opens the regular season on Mar. 21 at Sarcoxie.
“I expect our team to compete with every team on our schedule,” Jordan said. “I believe this is a team that can compete for a conference and district championship.”
