By Chris Parker
Walnut Grove doubled its win total from 2023 with eight wins in 2024. The Tigers will look to post the program’s first winning season since 2019 with a young roster featuring six returning starters.
“We are quite young this year, so one of the strengths we will strive for is being a scrappy young group,” Walnut Grove head coach Mason Sanders said. “Everyone will have a specific role they follow and will be called upon to meet that role in certain situation. As a unit, I think we have a solid pitching staff and a lineup that can get on base. We will be putting an emphasis on being able to take the extra base in multiple scenarios to set us up to drive runs in.”
The pitching staff looks to be strong led by sophomore Sam Vorhis.
“Sam Voris will be a top guy on the mound for us this year,” Sanders said. “He has a heavy fastball in the high 70’s/low 80’s and a hammer 12-6 curveball; big swing and miss stuff.”
Junior Ryder Boone will see many innings as well.
“Ryder has been one of my most consistent arms the past couple years filling up the zone and forcing teams to put the ball in play,” Sanders said. “He has developed some off-speed that will help keep hitters on their toes. He is also solid at keeping runners at bay with a quick time to the plate and solid pickoff moves as well.”
Ethan Kelley (junior) and Nick Leeper (sophomore) will step up to the varsity level this season.
“Kelley will be a reliever I look to with a deceptive arm slot and great movement on his fastball,” Sanders said. “Leeper is a mature frame who has great feel for the ball after developing off-speed over the summer. Leeper may see time as both a starter and reliever.”
Freshman Quinten Conner will look to make an immediate varsity impact.
“Quinten Conner is an experienced arm who will immediately impact the game on the mound,” Sanders said. “He has a mature game that will translate well to high school ball.”
Dwyer Coons and Wyatt Holman will look for time at catcher.
“Dwyer was my everyday guy last year, but Holman spent this summer and fall developing to help split the workload for us this year,” Sanders said.
Vorhis (shortstop), Conner (corner), Coons (third base/shortstop), Holman (second base), Leeper (first base) and Boone (third base/second base) will be on the infield.
Kelley, Boone, Levi Bowers, Leeper and Holman are all in the mix in the outfield.
“Kelley, Voris, and Coons will be called upon to lead,” Sanders said. “Kelley is a natural leader that does all the right things and give 100% every single day. Coons and Voris now have a year under their belts, which will help them lead those around them by being the physical example as well as teaching the game to those around them.”
Coons in particular has improved in a big way this offseason.
“Dwyer Coons has really taken this offseason to improve physically,” Sanders said. “He took the year off basketball to heal an ankle injury, which has allowed him to put on a lot of muscle and really develop his game. He has the chance to be an all-state type of player for the next three years.”
Walnut Grove opens the regular season on Mar. 21 at Fair Play.
“Our identity is to be a tough with low strikeout percentages, getting on base, and mentally understanding the defensive side of the game will put us in a place where we can succeed,” Sanders said. “I believe if we follow our gameplan, this team can be above .500 and put us in a position to compete for a district championship. We have a young group of guys that take the game serious and want to win.”
