By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
There aren’t too many baseball coaches in the state who could say that five of their players made the all-state team last spring.
Even fewer can say that all five of them are coming back this year.
Yet that’s exactly the position Marshfield coach William Pate finds himself in this spring, as he’ll routinely be able to fill out a lineup card where the majority of his starters are all-state honorees.
“We really feel like this team has a great opportunity to make a run at districts and beyond,” Pate said.
To do that, the Bluejays will need similar production from the quintet that was so impactful in last year’s 23-13 season: Carson Adams, Case Steinbach, Carter James, Tyce Jones and Henry Berkstresser.
They’re among eight returning starters who’ll be looking to lead Marshfield to a conference title in its inaugural season in the Ozark Mountain Conference — and the school’s first district championship since 2019.
“We are very proud of our guys and the work they have put in to be recognized the way they have been,” Pate said. “We talk to them all the time about how they can’t hang themselves up on the past and things they have done previously. Each year is a new year, every day is a new day and baseball is a very hard sport. We have to show up every day prepared and ready to compete at a high level.”
Adams is poised for what would be a third consecutive all-state selection. The junior infielder/pitcher was also named to the team as a freshman.
“Will be one of our main arms on the mound as well as a big part of our lineup,” Pate said. “Expectations for him are high after the back-to-back seasons he has put together.”
Steinbach and James will platoon in the Marshfield battery.
Steinbach, a sophomore, made an immediate impact in his first varsity season.
“He had a great season offensively and will look to build on that this year,” Pate said. “He is a very disciplined hitter and has great speed and awareness on the basepaths.”
James, a junior, is expected to play the outfield when he’s not behind the plate.
“Offensively he will be a middle of the order guy as he provides a lot of consistency and has proven to be a clutch hitter in tough spots,” Pate said. “He’s a tough kid who can provide a spark when needed and has great situational awareness.”
Berkstresser and Jones are both senior outfielders, meaning that the Marshfield outfield has the ability to consist entirely of all-state selections on the days James doesn’t catch.
“Returning quite a few starters and bench players is great because we know the guys already and what their strengths and weaknesses are,” Pate said. “We can already start preparing where guys fit in in the rotation and who can move here (or) there defensively.”
Berkstresser, a four-year starter, has signed with East Central College. He’ll primarily play left field, but has the ability to become a key contributor out of the Marshfield bullpen.
“He has worked very hard this off-season and we are excited for him to compete this spring,” Pate said.
Jones is expected to retain his role as the team’s center fielder.
“Tyce is an extremely athletic kid who has unbelievable speed,” Pate said. “His ability to get on base and score runs is a big part of our offense.”
All-conference and all-district selection Hunter Fryman is yet another returning starter — and his junior season is poised to be his best one yet.
“Hunter has put in a ton of work this off-season adding weight and getting stronger,” Pate said. “He will be one of our top arms as well as start at shortstop when not pitching. He is poised to make a big impact this year with the work he has put in, both offensively and defensively.”
Braden Jensen, Sam Perkins and Keegan Reynolds are also returning to the Bluejays after playing prominent roles last spring.
Jensen, a sophomore first baseman/pitcher, impressed in his debut season.
“He will be a key part in the pitching rotation and will look to provide more production offensively with a year of varsity under his belt,” Pate said.
Perkins, a senior, will primarily rotate between second base and shortstop.
“He’s a very solid defender with a great IQ,” Pate said.
Reynolds, a junior, is touted for his ability to play wherever he’s needed.
“He is versatile defensively and can play multiple spots,” Pate said. “He will push for more time offensively and compete for a spot in the lineup.”
While depth isn’t expected to be an issue for the Bluejays, the coaches are focusing on finding the right match-ups for their rotation and bullpen.
“Our biggest unanswered question at this point is who will fill certain roles on our pitching staff,” Pate said. “We have a lot of guys who can compete on the mound, but getting each one in the right role to have success will be key.”
Four sophomores — Jayce Baedk, Easton Curley, Caleb Kasper and Trenton Rosenthal — will make the case for prominent roles in the rotation and bullpen.
Pate on Baedk: “Jayce had a great freshman year last year and was very successful both offensively and on the mound. He has put (a) lot of time in in the off-season and will be a key part to the pitching staff. He has added (velocity) and has a great mix of pitches.”
Pate on Curley: “Easton had limited innings last year on the mound, but has shown he can pitch at a high level. Very confident on the mound and will be a solid arm out of the pen.”
Pate on Kasper: “Caleb could be a huge surprise to people this year on the mound. He has spent a lot of time trying to improve his (velocity) and command and he could be a big part of the pitching rotation.”
Pate on Rosenthal: “Trenton saw some time on the mound last spring and was a pinch/courtesy runner for us. He is athletic and can play multiple spots.”
The Bluejays will host Lebanon and Fair Grove for a jamboree on March 14.
They’ll open the regular season with one of the toughest games on their schedule, a March 20 home game against reigning state champion Willard.
“I am just really excited to see our guys compete,” Pate said. “They have put in a lot of work this off-season, so it will be a lot of fun to go see them get after it on the field.”
