By Dana Harding
The Branson Pirates are looking for consistency in 2017.
After falling in the district semifinal to complete a 14-13 season, Branson hopes to refocus and reload with an experienced and motivated lineup.
For Branson head coach Troy Nimmo, the sport offers constant teaching opportunities.
“Baseball, while humbling, is also educational,” Nimmo said. “It taught our returning kids the lesson of making sure we take each game pitch by pitch and inning by inning, and the power of staying focused for 21 outs. While our goals are to always win a conference and district title, not being able to do either makes us have to work that much harder.”
If the Pirates are to build on last season, their first order of business will be replacing All-State and COC Co-Player of the Year Chad Reusch. Reusch, who now plays at College of the Ozarks, led Branson in hitting with a .513 average and served as the team’s ace with a 6-0 record and 1.26 ERA.
“Losing Chad Reusch is definitely going to be felt in every aspect of our day to day line up,” Nimmo said. “But we have been blessed to have had a lot of great players and people here at Branson in our program, so hopefully we will have some of our younger players step up and fill some of the void his graduation left.”
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A trio of returning seniors with college baseball opportunities will lead Branson’s lineup this season.
After a 3-5 season on the mound and 1.86 ERA, Bryce Burtless becomes the Pirates’ pitching ace. Burless will also play first and third base for Branson and has committed to Longview Community College.
Dawson Nimmo anchors the defense at second base for Branson. Nimmo has signed to play at College of the Ozarks.
Catcher Kap Johnson, a North Arkansas Community College signee, gives the Pirates another solid defensive option behind the plate.
Seniors Hunter Werling and Justus Brashers, both integral parts of last season’s varsity squad, return to the outfield and hope to provide stability and productivity in the lineup.
Junior Zack Johnston will take over at shortstop, while juniors Cameron Banks, Skyler Harris, and senior Aaron Batt will compete for spots. Likewise, junior Logan Porter and sophomore Tyson Holmes can hopefully continue to impress at the plate and could as well find a home in the lineup.
With so many returning players in the lineup, Nimmo hopes to capitalize on the experience and leadership opportunities.
“Our strengths begin with a very experienced and big-game tested senior class,” Nimmo said. “With three of our seniors having been a part of the everyday lineup for three years, along with two others who started for us last year, we have an expectation to see them set the tone for what is desired not only during games, but also practice, and to provide positive leadership to the newcomers to varsity baseball.”
Branson hosts jamboree play on March 11 with Reeds Spring, Hollister and Forsyth. The Pirates open the regular season March 18 with their Lael Lead-Off Tournament against Nixa.
