After starting last season with a 1-6 record, Weaubleau finished with an 11-5 spurt, as the team showed marked improvement as the season progressed. The season included a 5-2 record and second-place finish in the competitive Polk County League.
“I anticipated getting off to a slow start after assessing where our kids were after the first few practices, but thought we could improve as the season progressed,” said first-year head coach Chad Foster, who served as the Tigers’ assistant coach last season.
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Six seniors, including five starters, were lost to graduation and will be missed. The biggest loss might be second team All-PCL pitcher Jay King, who posted a 6-2 record in throwing 65 2/3 innings for the Tigers while batting out of the three-hole on offense. Catcher Chris Baker, a co-captain along with King, was the Tigers’ undisputed team leader.
Gavin Alexander tied for the team lead in doubles, while Dusty Duncan led the team in triples. The Tigers will also miss the versatile Sam Howe and Kenny Jones.
“We will have to have several underclassmen step up and fill not only some of the leadership voids created by losing last season’s seniors, but also produce on offense, defense, pitching, etc.” said Foster. “We will have to work hard and be very dedicated to be successful in the upcoming season.
"We lost five starters last year to graduation, so there is a lot of opportunity for playing time available to several underclassmen. I believe if we work hard and play unselfish this group will be very competitive."
The Tigers do return plenty of talent, including a pair of first team all-conference players in seniors Gatlin Freeman and Rhett Burkhart. Freeman, who posted impressive numbers at the plate last year (.368 BA, 28 H, 17 RBI, 20 SB), also posted a 3-3 record and 1.73 ERA on the mound for the Tigers.
Burkhart, who plays middle infield and pitcher, batted .394 with 28 hits and stole 17 bases last season. Fellow seniors Kaleb Minica (.299 BA, 7 2B, 17 RBI, 23 SB) and Kaulin Cutbirth (3-6, 3.91 ERA) both earned all-district honors last season. Junior outfielder Colton Lambeth batted .421 for the Tigers last season.
“We have a very good group of young men with determination, good work ethic, and that care for each other,” said Foster. “But we are young and inexperienced. We need to improve in all areas. I believe in good pitching and good defense. As we get more experienced as the season progresses, I believe we will improve in all facets.”
Class 1 No. 3-ranked Walnut Grove figures to be the favorite in the Polk County League, with Dadeville and Weaubleau right behind. Weaubleau’s district will once again feature Lakeland, Hermitage Humansville, Mack’s Creek, Climax Springs, and Wheatland.
“Like any other year we’d like to win our conference and advance in the state tournament,” said Foster. “The conference will again be very tough, and the team will be looking to build off its second-place finish last year. Concerning the district tourney, it will again be very tough. We would like to improve on last year’s finish when we were beaten by Lakeland in the second round.”
Weaubleau opens its season Tuesday by hosting Climax Springs in a game with district seeding implications. The Tigers will travel to Montrose on Thursday, before traveling to defending district champion Lakeland on March 28 in another huge district match-up. Back-to-back games at Walnut Grove on May 2 and at home against Dadeville on May 3 will go a long way in determining the PCL championship.
