By Tyler Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The injury bug has already invaded the Monett baseball program so far this year.
Three players are out for the foreseeable future, but veteran head coach Michael Calhoun has plenty of fuel in the Cubs’ tank, as left-handed pitcher Aiden Clapper and Carson Burtrum make their returns to the diamond.
Back in the fold this year are Aidan Clapper (senior), Michael Privett (senior), Braden Cendroski (junior), Tucker Anderson (junior), Landyn Brandt (senior), Dylan Washick (sophomore), Miles Young (junior), Collin Umfleet (junior) and Samuel Carr (sophomore).
Clapper, Cendroski, Brandt, Young and Umfleet are the returning full-time starters.
Burtrum, who is back and hungrier than ever, was lost last year but is back and hungry for a district crown.
“He was going to be our No. 1 or 2 last year. Pitched one inning, hurt his elbow, and was done,” recalled Calhoun, who is 297-218 with the Cubs. “We had to do a lot of adjustments. We had a lot of injuries last year.”
So, what is the primary message this season?
“To build off last year,” Calhoun said.
While the adjustments were made unexpectedly, on the fly, as most are throughout the game of baseball, those adjustments now are serving the Cubs well — taking those lessons learned into the spring campaign.
“We had a lot of guys throughout the year who got banged up or hurt, and ended up putting freshmen, or underclassmen, in spots. They may not have been ready for it but proved to do the job for us,” Calhoun said.
Burtrum, who is fully rested and recovered, is one player to watch as the season progresses.
“Carson had an injury shortened sophomore season. I look for him to have a great bounce- back year on the mound and being one of our top pitchers this spring,” Calhoun said.
The other hurler being Clapper.
“Aidan will be our centerfielder when he is not on the mound. He has turned himself into an excellent pitcher and he is one of our best offensive players,” Calhoun said.
Honors for Clapper included 1st Team All-Conf. (OF); 1st Team unanimous All-District; Academic All-State.
Clapper hit .365 and went 3-2 with a 2.58 ERA last year.
6’1” junior Tucker Anderson has excelled so much he may have earned the starting gig behind the dish.
That position, though, is currently being evaluated.
“Tucker will be competing and has a great opportunity to be our starting catcher. He has improved over his last two seasons, and I am excited to see how he is able to contribute both offensively and behind the plate,” Calhoun said.
Gone are Evan Witt (.408 avg.) and Alex Huntress (5-4, 3.63 ERA), but for the Cubs, repetition is vital when it comes to the upcoming season.
The Cubs finished middle of the pack in the Big 8 with a 3-3 record last year, receiving the top seed in districts but fell to district champion Aurora in the semifinals in nine innings.
The youth movement is one of a plethora of reasons for optimism this season.
“I am excited about the youthful experience we have coming back this spring. We have a lot of young men who got valuable experience and reps in varsity games and situations last year,” Calhoun said. “Now with many of their roles expanding, I am excited to see who emerges into what role on our team. Last year’s season was up and down at times. I look for more consistency throughout our lineup, on the mound, and defensively to help us get to the next level.”
And that next level is a district championship.
“We will be a team that will be fundamentally sound and work to do the best we can for all 21 outs each and every game we play. Win or lose, we want to work as hard as we can to best represent ourselves, our school, and our community,” Calhoun said. “Most likely, our district will be made up of, if not all, most of the same teams in the Big 8 Conference. Every game during conference play will be a challenge, and I look forward to us competing and continuing to grow as a team and program.”
The Cubs will head to Joplin for the March 17 jamboree to face the host and Carthage.
On March 21, Monett hosts Southwest Washburn for the home opener.
