By Chris Parker
Conway baseball returns six starters and 10 total lettermen from last season.
The pitching staff has experience with three of last season’s top four pitchers returning.
“We will return three of our top four arms and have a couple of others who will really give us some depth,” Conway head coach Clay Bilyeu said. “Brixon Bilyeu returns for his senior season. He has been our ace since his freshman year. He will be going to C of O next year as a two-way player. Easton Jones was our No. 2 last year as a freshman. He is a good competitor on the mound and has great command. He has been working hard to increase his velocity as well over the off season. Gentry Bilyeu is our only junior and has thrown significant innings for us the past two years. He won’t overpower anyone but can throw all pitches at any time and just has a knack for getting outs. Mason Miller took a huge step up for us last summer and fall and will look to be one of our top arms this spring. His command has improved a ton, and his velocity keeps going up as well. Jackson Gunter was our closer to start last spring before an injury ended his season after just seven games. We hope to have him bounce back into a similar role.”
Brixon Bilyeu threw a team-high 46.1 innings last season striking out 98 with a 3.02 ERA. Jones contributed the second-most innings on the team with 37.2 striking out 46 leading to a 2.23 ERA. Gentry Bilyeu was third on the team with 28.1 innings last year striking out 22.
Sophomores Cole Twyman, Griffin Cornelison, and Payton Whitford will add depth on the mound.
Sophomore Wyatt Lewis and Whitford will be options at catcher.
Around the infield, Miller and Whitford are options at first base. Twyman, Lewis and Gentry Bilyeu are in the mix at second. Brixon Bilyeu is the shortstop when not on the mound. Jones is the primary third baseman with Twyman also seeing time there.
Evan Peters (senior), Zach Triplett (sophomore) and Jackson Gunter (senior) will be in the outfield from left to right. Sophomores Lucas Freeman and Griffin Cornelison will be primary backups in the outfield.
It will be a senior-led team this season.
“We have a good senior class who have all been playing at the varsity level for at least two years,” Coach Bilyeu said. “They have all shown great leadership, and we will look for them to guide our young guys.”
Conway will have a strong pitching staff, but a lot of success will be determined by the growth of young players.
“I feel like we are going to have really good pitching depth which is always a plus. I also feel like we have a good athletic group who are just baseball guys. They love the game and want to compete,” Coach Bilyeu said. “We will have several sophomores in our lineup. Several of them got quite a few at bats last spring but them being able to really take a step forward at the plate will take us from a competitive team to a team to watch out for.”
Conway opens the regular season on Mar. 21 at home against Waynesville.
“I know we have a competitive group and if we can stay healthy, I feel like we will win a lot of games,” Coach Bilyeu said. “I want to be able to take that next step forward and really be in the hunt for our conference and district.”
