By Chris Parker
Willow Springs baseball has a new head coach in Tanner Barnes this season. He inherits a team returning seven starters and eight lettermen from a six-win team in 2022.
Barnes identified seniors Rogan Traver (pitcher/third baseman), Ryan Koehler (catcher) and Ryan Friga (pitcher/outfielder/first baseman/third baseman) and sophomore Jace Rodgers (pitcher/shortstop) as team leaders.
Barnes on Traver: “Hard worker all offseason, on and off the field leader, ace on the mound, power in the middle of the lineup.”
Barnes on Koehler: “Great arm behind the dish, has incredible bat speed so expect him to be a three or four hole hitter.”
Barnes on Friga: “Should be our vocal leader, utility guy who may play some centerfield and the corner infield spots depending on who’s on the mound, will be a key relief pitcher and will start some games on the mound.”
Barnes on Rodgers: “Starter on the mound this year, good power and average guy in the top-middle of the lineup.”
Dustin Leuhrs (junior) and Caden Foster (junior) will also be key pitchers.
The lineup around the infield will feature Koehler at catcher, Luke Mansfield at first base, Foster at second base, Rodgers at shortstop, Jacob Roberts at third base/utility, Traver at third base and Jordan Rutledge at second base.
Leuhrs, Friga, Rutledge and Braxton Wilbanks will be in the outfield.
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Barnes has seen marked improvement from several players from the beginning of the summer to now. Traver has greatly improved his control on the mound according to Barnes. Roberts has improved his arm strength which will give him the opportunity to play all over the field. Mansfield has improved his fielding. Barnes said Mansfield might have the best hands on the infield.
Barnes will look for his pitchers to consistently throw strikes while the offense hits for power.
“We have a good field behind us. If we can eliminate the walks and let our field do its job, we should be in a good position to win a lot of games,” Barnes said. “At the plate, our strength is to hit for power. I expect us to hit us a lot of extra base hits this year.”
Barnes wants to instill an identity of aggressiveness in the Willow Springs baseball program.
“When a ground ball is hit to us, we will go and get it and not let the ball get too deep. At the plate, especially ahead in the count, we will jump on the bad pitch. On the basepaths, we are going to keep the pitcher worried,” Barnes said.
Willow Springs opens the regular season on Mar. 17 at home against Mansfield.
“I expect to be one of the teams to beat in the SCA,” Barnes said. “We have a lot of senior leaders this year and it’s time for them to see success on the diamond.”
