By Chris Neyenhouse
Seymour will have several new starters this year as they try to improve upon last year’s impressive 17-8 season. First year head coach Josh Cook takes over a program that has had winning seasons four of the last five years including a state runner-up season in 2019.
Three starters are back for the Tigers, including just two seniors at key defensive positions.
Centerfielder Luke Rasmussen is one.
“Luke will be a four-year starter for our program,” said Cook. “He is our spark plug for our offense leading off and drawing attention on the base paths. He also patrols our centerfield fearlessly. Luke is our leader by example. Nobody is going to outwork Luke.”
Shortstop Brayden Baker is the other.
“Brayden will also be a four-year starter for our program,” Cook said. “Brayden has also found himself in the top two spots of our lineup the majority of his four years. Brayden has been our shortstop almost exclusively over the past four years as well. Brayden is our vocal leader and brings a wealth of baseball experience.”
Junior Caleb Shreffler, who caught, pitched and was a designated hitter much of last year, is also back. Junior Trevor Young also was recovering from a knee injury last year and was able to pitch the latter half of the spring. Everyone else is new to the team.
The team will need to replace a pair of starting pitchers from a year ago. Young is the team’s ace. With Schreffler, freshman Truman Helms, sophomore Owen Benson, and junior Preston Lambeth rounding out the staff. Rasmussen and Baker will also see time on the mound.
Schreffler, Helms, and Lambeth are battling for catcher duties as well. Junior Konnor Hintt will be the second baseman. Schreffler, Yount, and Benson will take turns at the corner infield spots. Freshmen Reece Hepko and Wyett Bennett will also factor into the infield depth chart.
“Caleb Schreffler has shown he can be a bat to build around,” Cook said. “He also boasts flexibility being able to play multiple positions as well. I am also really excited to see the growth in our freshmen this year. We have a big group of freshmen who love playing baseball and are competitors.”
Joining Rasumssen in the outfield will be freshman Braylon Johnson, with battles for playing time between Hepko, Bennett, Benson, and freshman Aiden Little yet to be sorted out.
“Owen Benson is primed to have a breakout spring,” Cook said. “Owen just missed the starting lineup last year but has proven this fall to be able to hit for power along with find his way on base. Owen is gifted both as an infielder and an outfielder and gives me a lot of options to play him.”
Along the way the team will be leaning on their strengths.
“Our defense and approach at the plate will be our strengths,” Cook said. “When we play a clean game and manufacture runs we will put ourselves in a position to win some ballgames.”
Seymour hosts Lighthouse Christian to start the season March 22.
