By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Cabool Bulldogs went 9-16 last season in Robbie Mossman’s first year as head coach, improving on the previous season record. The team upset Willow Springs in the first round of district play, then lost to Ava. Several close games were dropped to experienced opponents, but now the Bulldogs plan to take their own experience and apply it to a new season.
“We know that we are in a dogfight – no pun intended – every game,” said Coach Mossman. “We are really focusing on how the little things can make a huge difference this year. We learned how to compete all seven innings, especially at the end of the year, and I expect it to carry over this year.”
The team will move forward without several quality graduates, including all-conference pitcher Dalton Carder (1.89 ERA and .364 average, now at Southeastern Illinois College), all-conference first baseman Austin Hunter, and all-conference utility player Zach Beller, as well as pitcher Chayton Reese.
Two seniors, Spencer Christeson and Shawn Smith, are coming out this season.
“I am going to lean on those two players due to their maturity, as well as setting a good example for our younger players,” said Mossman. “Spencer played for us last year and was a tremendous addition. He is an extremely talented athlete that I am looking to cover a lot of ground for us in the outfield.”
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Hunter Sparks is a junior who was a mainstay in the middle infield last year and batted .226. Coach Mossman said Sparks will also lead by example on and off the field.
“Hunter has the ability to have a breakout year for us,” said Mossman.
Sophomore Quincy Flanagan (.289) started at second base and gave quality innings on the mound. He has a high baseball IQ and will also be called on to lead.
Kaevin Jackson, sophomore, stepped into the catching position early last year and added a .219 average. Classmate Trevor Atkins (.238) started in the outfield, played a solid third base at the end of the year and gained confidence as a pitcher.
“Trevor is a natural born leader who has the ability to help us on the mound and at the plate,” said Mossman.
Logan Primanzon, sophomore, is “a very good defensive outfielder with timely hits, excellent speed, and can cause havoc on the base paths,” per his coach. Versatile and athletic, he will be developing an off-speed pitch as he fights for mound time.
Eli Garner was the most-improved player last year, as he took advantage of opportunities and started in the outfield for varsity late in the season. The sophomore should challenge for a starting outfield position. Zak Rawlings rounds out the sophomore class, and the versatile outfielder is growing his baseball IQ and putting in hard work.
Braxton Davis is a coachable and athletic freshman who could contribute in the infield, outfield, and on the mound.
“Trevor Atkins, Quincy Flanagan, Hunter Sparks, and Dakota Overby got a lot of experience on the mound for us last year,” said Coach Mossman. “We will be depending on these players to give us quality innings all year long.”
While the team is young, they have been working on their game over the summer in a wood bat league and in travel ball.
“I am most looking forward to seeing the improvement of each individual player,” said Mossman. “Our numbers are down, but we have really great kids that want to be successful and want to learn. Some of our goals are to be playing the best at the end of the season, developing more pitching, and to be more aggressive on the base paths as well as having an overall aggressive mentality.”
The Bulldogs open their season at Gainesville Mar. 15.
