By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Zizzers bring back three all-state position players following a 12-win season. With James Sharp once again at the helm, West Plains will fight to be a contender in the postseason.
The team lost 11 lettermen but return eight others, including four starters.
Coy Crites, 6’0” junior pitcher, will be the Zizzers’ go-to guy on the mound this year. “He will be our most experienced pitcher on the team, throwing 20 innings last season and 10 as a freshman,” said Sharp. In the second half of the season, Coy threw 14.2 of his 20 innings with a 1.9 ERA. Crites further improved his craft over the summer.
Peyton Cooper started at shortstop as a junior. “He was a great lead-off last season, hitting .437 with 10 doubles and a .515 OBP,” said Sharp. Cooper also picked up 38 hits and 15 RBIs. Those numbers helped him earn honorable mention all-state, first team all-conference, and first team all-district honors. “We believe he will have another good season this year and likely see a jump in his power numbers after working hard in the weight room this off-season,” Sharp added.
Junior catcher Tank Sims (6’1”) hit .412 with 35 hits, 25 RBI, and 6 homeruns. His OPS was 1.297. Sharp said Sims will once again be a key player, both offensively and defensively. “He does everything well behind the plate, allowing our pitching staff to throw any pitch with confidence,” said Coach Sharp. “Tank also is a big threat every time he steps up to bat.” Last year, Sims earned second team all-state, second team all-conference, and first team all-district honors.
6’4” junior outfielder Nelson Hoover is another returning starter. He ended the season with a .430 batting average, 34 hits, 28 RBIs, and 4 home runs. Hoover swung the bat well in the clean-up spot and provided protection in the order; he will hit in the middle of the order. “We will be counting on Hoover to play a large role this year offensively and to throw some meaningful innings,” said Sharp. Hoover also earned postseason awards, including second team all-state, first team all-conference, and second team all-district as a sophomore.
CLICK HERE TO FIND LINKS TO ALL OF OUR SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
Rylan Kenslow, 6’2” junior outfielder, worked his way into the lineup last season. He is primed to be the everyday centerfielder and a key part of the offense. Last year, he added 10 hits, 6 RBIs, and had a .313 average.
Senior utility player Jaden Barrett threw some solid innings for the Zizzers last spring, coming in late in games. He finished with a 2.9 ERA and a .300 batting average.
Trey Miller, junior outfielder, had 22 at-bats last year for a .273 average. He will compete for an outfield spot and a DH role. “Trey also threw some varsity innings last year and will be expected to serve a larger role on the mound this season,” said Sharp.
Sophomore Hunter Roberts transferred from Dora last season. “He is a fundamentally sound player that we believe will contribute in a lot of ways this year,” said Sharp, including innings on the infield and the mound.
6’2” junior Hunter Williams will be one of the go-to arms on the mound this season. “He likely will see some time on the infield when not pitching,” said Sharp. “He has improved tremendously defensively since last spring.”
Junior Riley Summers gained experience last year as a defensive replacement at first base and logged a few at-bats, but this year he will have a chance to play every inning at first.
J.R. Free, freshman, “has smooth hands on the infield and good mechanics on the mound and at the plate. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets some varsity innings this season,” Coach Sharp said.
Landon Montgomery, freshman catcher, could also be a big contributor at the varsity level. “He is a smooth infielder and has some good stuff on the mound,” said Sharp.
Senior Cole Shipley contributes as a strong outfielder that gets great jumps on the ball, per his coach.
Caleb DeShane, junior, will fight for time in the outfield. DeShane hit .375 on JV last spring, proving he’s capable of putting good at-bats together.
Sophomore Ethan Tuma has a chance to be a big part of the pitching staff if he continues to improve. Last season he held a JV-best 1.312 ERA.
“Offensively, we should be pretty dangerous from top to bottom,” said Coach Sharp.
The pitching staff was decimated due to graduation, so competition there will be fierce. “I’m looking forward to seeing which players step up on the mound and how a few other positions shake out, especially at second base,” he added.
The Zizzers consider their defense a strength, even in the spots not yet solidified. “We have a couple good defensive options, but we will see which one of those gives us the best chance to score runs,” said Sharp.
“Our team goals are to be in top three in the Ozark Conference, to have an ERA under a 4.5, and a winning season,” said Sharp. “We are looking to get better each day and to be the best possible team we can be at the end of the season.”
The Zizzers’ Jamboree in Ava March 14 will also feature Springfield Catholic and Mountain Grove. Their home opener will take place against Waynesville on March 30.
