By Chris Parker
El Dorado Springs has a new head coach in Robbie Mossman this season. He takes over a program coming off a two-win season in 2022, but is just two years removed from an 18-win campaign in 2021.
Seniors Aidan Reeves (second base/outfield/pitcher), Issac Shipp (first base) and Wyatt VanGordon (outfield) will be team leaders this year.
Reeves hit .377 with 8 RBI last season.
“He led the team in hitting last year and has done a great job for showing up for workouts this year,” Mossman said. “We need him to have a big year for us hitting and pitching. He can play any position.”
Shipp returns after hitting .133 as a junior.
“I look forward to Issac having a great senior year,” Mossman said.
VanGordon hit .232 in 2022.
“Wyatt is probably our best outfielder coming back for us this year,” Mossman said. “I hope to get more offensive performances out of him this year.”
The rest of the pitching staff will feature Kaden Burley (senior), Brett Alexander (sophomore), Aidan Rotert (sophomore), KanDyn Ewert (freshman), Karson Burley (freshman), Connor Bradley (freshman) and Grady Crews (freshman).
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Rotert saw action on the varsity level last year.
“Aidan was able to log several opportunities at the varsity level,” Mossman said. “I look for him to be a great threat on the bases and continue to develop as an outfielder.”
Classmates Dalton Bender, Lucas Priesendorg, Juris Leroux and Maverick Mitchell will also look to make an impact as sophomores.
Mossman on Bender: “Daiten played a lot of valuable varsity innings last year. I look for him to be a starting pitcher that eats a lot of innings for us, as well as contributing for us from the plate.”
Mossman on Priesendorg: “Lucas had quality plate appearance for varsity last year, and I look forward to continued positive contributions.”
Mossman on Leroux: “Juris also gained a lot of varsity experience last year. As one of the few upperclassmen we have this year, I need Juris to be a lead by example player setting the tone for this year’s team.”
Mossman on Mitchell: “I was fortunate to get to coach Maverick this summer and have grown appreciation for coachability and willingness to do what is best for the team. He was able to get valuable experience as a freshman and I look forward to more positive contributions from Maverick this year.”
Easton Ashlock will join Burly, Ewert, Bradley and Crews in a strong freshman class looking to make an immediate impact.
Mossman on Burly: “Carson has a great frame for a pitcher. I look forward to further developing his mechanics and be able to contribute as the varsity level.”
Mossman on Ewert: “Kandyn has worked extremely hard in the weight room, and he has a chance to get varsity experience as an infielder and pitcher.”
Mossman on Bradley: “Connor is a very heady baseball player that has a chance to catch at the varsity level.”
Mossman on Crews: “Grady will continue to work a transition from the infield to the outfield with potential to get pinch hitting opportunities.”
Mossman on Ashlock: “Easton is very talented in the outfield. He has a lot of potential to be a good player for years to come.”
This team will be young with just five upperclassmen on the roster, so Mossman will look for his team to do the little things right as they improve throughout the year.
“My hope is that we will be extremely competitive and good at little things like bunting and base running,” Mossman said. “We are going to have to make less errors, throw more strikes, increase our depth at pitching and become better situational hitters.”
El Dorado Springs opens the season on Mar. 17 at home against Dadeville.
