By Amanda Perkins/For OzarksSportsZone.com
Coach Rex Sawyer is the well-known leader of Ava baseball, and as he enters his 22nd year of coaching, he knows where to place his focus. “We keep our goals and expectations the same no matter what type of team we have,” he said. “We try to play good fundamental baseball and to take things one game at a time.”
However, the Hall of Fame coach acknowledged this is a special group. “I should be able to sit in the dugout and watch my kids play because they’ve been with me so long,” he said. “We want to step on the field and be all business.”
Sawyer has watched most of his current players come up through Little League and beyond, and he also coached many of their parents who continue to be supportive of the program.
The Bears have played two almost identical back-to-back seasons, ending each with district losses to Licking and a 15-9 record. Last year, they were 4-3 in the SCA, finishing behind Salem, Thayer and state champion Mountain Grove.
“Our first focus is the SCA conference,” said Sawyer. “Our goal is to try to figure out how to win that, which will be very tough with Mountain Grove, Salem, and others. The new pitch count will change everything up also; as coaches, we are trying to work on strategy.”
Graduation took two from the team, and both Zac Hunsaker and Morgan Smith are now at Wentworth Military Academy and College. Smith broke his ankle during basketball season and wasn’t able to play his senior baseball season. Hunsaker was a versatile player for the Bears, pitching or playing first or third base. He had a .323 average and won first team all-district honors for utility and all-conference second team for utility/dh.
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This year, Ava is senior-dominant and full of returning starters. Senior pitcher Nick Sterling finished last season with a 2.41 ERA and .405 average and led the team at the plate, knocking in 32 total hits and 22 RBIs. He made the SCA second team for pitching and the first team all-district for pitching and as first baseman. He will battle fellow senior Kolton Ritter for the role of No. 1 or No. 2 starter on the mound. Ritter was a first team all-district pitcher with a 1.71 ERA. He also was named to the SCA second team (infield), had a .268 average, and plays second base.
Devin Elliott is a senior centerfielder who struggled with an arm injury, but the lefty with a .286 average will be called to the plate this year. Colton Skyles, senior, has power at the plate (.255) and will compete for a spot at first or third. Brandon Johnson will be a competitor for those spots. The fellow senior also suffered an injury last year, but is strong and quick and could also see action on the hill. Chase Dodson (.242) and Eli Maggard round out the senior class. Dodson was moved to right field last season and has a strong arm, and Maggard was used as a speedy pitch runner.
Junior Aaron Everett became the starting catcher mid-season and will return to that role. He also contributes to the line-up with a .222 average.
Other juniors include Joey Swofford (infield), Joe Sicilia (outfield), Weston Stillings (first base), and Wyatt Gastineau. Gastineau is a quick lefty who will help with pitching.
Sophomore Tom Emerich earned an SCA honorable mention for his infield play as a freshman. The utility player has a strong arm, good speed, and a high baseball IQ. He had a .338 average and was 2-0 on the hill last year.
Caleb Johnson is another talented sophomore. The shortstop also had a .325 average and 2.01 ERA and will be called to help on the mound more this year.
Ava is the host for this year’s Class 3 District 10 tournament.
