By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For the second straight season, New Covenant Academy will have a new face in the dugout, as Robert Manning takes over the program helm.
Manning, a former Crowder College standout, spent the last seven years as an assistant at Nixa and Springfield Catholic.
“New Covenant Academy baseball experienced waves of success and losses,” said athletic director Eric Crain. “With a record of 9-13-1, we were under our expectations.”
The Warriors will first look to replace a talented trio of all-district selections in Nathan Good, Dillon Dougherty and Simeon Martin.
A deep and talented group of returning players are eager for the opportunity, according to Crain.
“This year the Warriors are returning most of the top contributors from previous years, and this group has played together for several years now,” Crain said. “The seven seniors this year have watched the success of previous groups and the expectation this year is to make a state run, as it is every year.”
New Covenant’s senior class features six players with varsity experience, including outfielder/pitcher Josiah Jones (.426 BA, 16 RBI, 15 SB), pitcher/infielder Lane Tyson (.250 BA, 11 RBI, 3.50 ERA), outfielder Taylor Wood (.350 BA, 2 HR, 16 RBI), first baseman Barrett Palen (.310 BA, 14 RBI), infielder Zach Muniz (.245 BA, 10 RBI) and pitcher Brady Hesemann (1-0, 3.6 ERA).
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Junior infielder/outfielder Jared Jackson (.470 BA) also returns for the Warriors.
With open spots in the lineup, New Covenant will turn to a promising group of varsity newcomers to step up and assume prominent roles.
Senior Brayden Schellingberger (INF); Juniors Colton Vorst (C) and Cameron Welker (OF); sophomores Braden Blake (OF), Connor McCarley (INF) and Elijah Dauber (INF); and freshmen Daniel Hesemann (OF) and Nate Martin (OF) will look to make an impact at the varsity level this season, according to Crain.
“With a new head coach, there may be some growing pains at the start of the season,” Crain said. “But the goal is to come together as a team and be playing your baseball at the end of the season in order to make a postseason run.”
Pitching will most likely be the Warriors’ biggest strength this season, anchored by a starting rotation of Tyson, Jones and Jackson.
Both Tyson and Jones received all-district honors in 2021.
“Lane Tyson was an absolute bull dog on the mound last year, and he has the ability to keep us in any game, no matter the opponent,” Crain said. “Josiah Jones is a crafty lefty and will be the No. 2 in the rotation. He has movement on every pitch and has the ability to produce a lot of outs. Jared Jackson is a hard-throwing righty with a great feel for the strike zone.”
Muniz and Hesemann will be major contributors in relief, while McCarley could see some time on the mound, as well.
At the plate, New Covenant will feature a mix of both speed and power. Crain expects Palen, Wood and McCarley to generate runs from the middle of the lineup.
“Last year, the Warriors averaged 7.9 runs per game, and we hope to keep that consistency going into this season,” Crain said. “Coach Manning’s philosophy is playing the game fast, so base stealing as well as small ball play style will be a huge emphasis for the warrior’s lineup.”
With its second head coach in as many seasons, Crain expects the team could face some early struggles; however, New Covenant’s strong senior class should allow for quick adjustments and consistency as the season progresses.
“With a new head coach, there will be some growing pains,” Crain said. “The seven seniors that have had several coaches throughout their high school careers will look to help lead the team and overcome the challenge of new leadership. The leadership that the major contributors bring will help the team come together and play their best baseball.”
Following a March 10 jamboree at the Westside Optimist Barnhouse, New Covenant will open its regular season March 18 at Humansville.
