By Chris Parker
Billings baseball had a strong fall season going 12-4 overall. That experience will be invaluable for the 2021 spring campaign after not getting to play the 2020 spring high school season.
“Playing this fall and even more so over the summer gave us all back some sense of normalcy. It felt good to be back out on the baseball field doing something we all love, but more than anything just getting back together as a team was special after not seeing each other for a few months,” Billings head coach John Craig said. “The majority of the teams on our schedule play a fall season, so I don’t really feel that we have any advantage. Having such a young roster overall however it was crucial for our sophomores and freshmen to get some experience heading into the spring.”
Three seniors will lead the team in Brian Terry (outfielder), Jacob Henry (pitcher/infield) and Hayden Fender (pitcher/infield).
“Our senior class obviously isn’t deep but the three we have are the heart of our team. They bat one, two and three in the lineup. Hayden and Jacob are our top two pitchers and Brian is our table setter at the plate,” Craig said.
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Sophomores Brayden Garbee and Quentin Gold will join Henry and Fender at the top of the rotation. Fender brings the most velocity. Henry and Garbee have good off-speed pitches. Gold commands the strike zone well.
Sophomores Mason Ebert and Zach Bos along with freshman Chase Verch enter the spring with a chance at some innings on the mound as well.
Ebert will be the team’s primary catcher.
Fender (first base), Garbee (second base), Henry (shortstop) and freshman Grant Heimer (third base) will be the look around the infield.
Jason Sekscinski (left field), Brian Terry (centerfield) and Bos (right field) will be the outfield for the Wildcats.
“We have solid depth on the mound with some guys fighting for innings which will make each other better. I love the athleticism 1-9 of our lineup,” Craig said. “Obviously gaining more game experience for our young guys will be huge for our improvement. The mental side of the game that develops with experience will be a major determining factor of the success of our season.”
Billings opens the season on Mar. 19 at home against Southwest (Washburn).
“Our expectation is to be competitive every night this spring. Our schedule will provide us with some really good competition,” Craig said. “We expect to be in the mix of the SWCL conference race as well as whatever district we get placed in.”
