By John Miller (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Expectations are high for the West Plains Zizzers’ baseball team this season – and for good reason. The team returns seven starters and seven lettermen from last year (including three NCAA-II commits), and has high aspirations for the upcoming season.
“We return our top three pitchers from last season, as well as our top five bats,” said Zizzers’ coach Zeb Wallace, now in his second year leading the program. “The Ozark Conference is never easy, and our district might even be more competitive. That being said, this group is hungry and committed to making a run at it.”
Last year, West Plains finished 9-10, including a 5-4 mark in the Ozark Conference. A loss to Branson in districts ended their season. Four seniors have graduated in John David Mulford, Billy Holloway, Evan Washington, and Austin Jones.
Led by Drury commit Austin Wood, a First Team All-State outfielder and Co-MVP of the Ozark Conference last season, the Zizzers believe they have the group of guys capable of making a strong run this spring. As a junior last year, Wood batted .459 with eight doubles, a triple, 28 total hits, and nine RBIs. He also had zero strikeouts in 76 total plate appearances. He was also selected First Team All-Conference and All-District.
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“Austin’s bat control has garnered a lot of attention, but he will also help us as an up-the-middle defender and starting pitcher (two areas he was unable to play last season due to arm soreness,” Wallace said.
Another key cog returning for the Zizzers is Andrew Wheeler, who led the Zizzers in triples (2), home runs (4), and RBIs (28) last year, and also batted .393. On the mound, he went 2-4 with a 4.00 ERA and led the team in innings pitched (49). Wheeler has committed to play baseball next year at Arkansas Tech and was named First Team All-Conference and All-District last season.
“Andrew was a staple in our up-the-middle defense,” Wallace said. “He is a truly special player.”
Senior Dylan Dunbar is another key returner after posting a 5-2 record and 2.42 ERA last season. At the plate, he hit .369 with 24 total hits and 20 RBIs. He was named First Team All-Conference for his work on the mound.
“Dylan emerged as our most effective starting pitcher in the second half of last season and also was a force in the middle of our order,” said Wallace of Dunbar, who will play collegiately at Missouri S&T next year. “Look for him at the top of our rotation.”
West Plains also returns seniors Camdon Murphy, Jake Webb, and Nathan Harris. Murphy, the team’s catcher, batted. 297 with 19 total hits last year, while Webb hit .304. Murphy was named First Team All-Conference and Webb was named Honorable mention All-Conference.
“Camdon picks up where he left off as our second season leadoff hitter and catcher,” Wallace said. “His postseason accolades, while nice, don’t justify how important he is to our team. His offseason has been baseball focused and he’s also gotten stronger and more athletic. I don’t think we’ve seen all he’s capable of yet.
“Jake got hot at the right time for us last season, hitting .429 in conference play, and stepped in as our primary designated hitter. This year, we will continue to rely on his bat but also look for him to hold down a corner outfield spot.”
Harris started for the Zizzers in the outfield last year and is expected to move to centerfield this season.
West Plains also started Hunter Burtrum at third base last year in his sophomore season, and they have high hopes for him now that he’s an upperclassman.
“He was a plus defender and anchor at the hot corner,” Wallace said. “With a season worth of at-bats under his belt, we believe he can be a middle-of-the-order bat for us, too.”
Newcomers to the team include seniors Mason Wilbanks and junior Garrett Warren. Wilbanks will likely take over as a corner infielder, while Hawkins should challenge for the open second base job. Warren was splitting time at third base last year before hurting his shoulder in the team’s jamboree.
“Garrett is an under-the-radar pick for us to really break out this season,” Wallace said.
