By Chris Parker
Willow Springs baseball experienced some growing pains last year starting seven freshmen and sophomores. The Bears finished 3-17 overall, but expect much better results this year with everybody returning.
“I have high expectations this season,” Willow Springs head coach Dustin Forrest said. “Last year we were coming off the COVID year, and we started seven freshman and sophomores. Those sophomores had not played the year before because of COVID, so it was pretty much starting seven freshmen. Having that many young players means guys got a lot of experience that they can bring to the table this season. I feel like at the end of the year last year we were just learning how to compete every day, and I think that this year we will do that from the start.”
Gabe Colvin (senior outfield/pitcher), Caleb Cochran (senior first base/DH), Rogan Traver (junior pitcher/infield) and Caden Foster (sophomore infield/pitcher) will be team leaders this year. Colvin hit .278 with eight RBI last year. Cochran hit .288 with 7 RBI in 2021. Traver was the team’s top hitter last year at .380. Foster was Willow Springs’ top pitcher posting a 3.62 ERA.
Forrest on Colvin: “Gabe has started on this team for four years and does a good job leading by example. Gabe is a super competitor that hates to lose. Gabe will be a mainstay in our rotation and provide pop in the middle of the lineup.”
Forrest on Cochran: “Caleb Cochran really jumped onto the scene last year. He had zero varsity experience before last year and came on as one of our most consistent hitters in big situations.”
Forrest on Traver: “Rogan’s love and knowledge of the game goes unmatched. He has been the ace of our staff since he was a freshman and I can put him on the field at any position and he is ready to go.”
Forrest on Foster: “Caden came in as a freshman last year and stepped right up and played shortstop and batted in the three spot of our lineup for most of the season. Caden sets the tone a lot for us, we look for him to get on base a lot and is our most solid infielder.”
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Traver, Colvin and Foster along with Ryan Friga (junior), Taylor Rothermich (junior) and Jace Rodgers (freshman) will make up the pitching rotation for Willow Springs. Traver is good at mixing up pitches and can throw anything in any count. Colvin brings high velocity with his fastball. Foster fills up the zone in relief. Firga has the best stuff on the team according to Forrest. Roterhmich is the team’s top reliever from the left side. Rodgers is a capable freshman who will log innings this year.
Junior Ryan Koehler will be in charge of catching this pitching staff.
The infield projects like this: Traver and Friga at third base, Rodgers and Foster up the middle, Cochran, Braxton Willbanks and Luke Mansfield at first. The lineup will change based on who is pitching.
The outfield will feature Colvin, Rothermich, Willbanks, Dustin Luehrs and Kyle Genn.
“We have a pretty sound defense this year,” Forrest said. “We brought back everyone from last year’s team and they all have experience playing their positions. We take pride in making plays for our pitchers. There is nothing harder on a pitcher than giving the other teams extra outs or not making routine plays for them.”
While the defense will be a strength, the pitching staff will need to throw more strikes to give the defense a chance to work for them. The offensive approach will be focused on generating more contact.
“We are going to have to do a better job in putting the ball in play consistently and throwing more strikes,” Forrest said. “Last year we struck out way too much. We have to take that next step and play fundamental baseball by putting the ball in play hitting behind the runner, bunting, whatever it takes. We need to put the pressure on the opposing defense, make them make plays. On the mound we have to throw more strikes. We walked way to many guys last year leading to high pitch counts. We have to give our defense a chance by throwing strikes and letting our defense play.”
Willow Springs opens the season on Mar. 18 at Mansfield.
