By Dana Harding/For OzarksSportsZone.com
After an up and down 2016 season, the Reeds Spring Wolves look to bounce back this season.
While the 10-13 campaign ended with a first-round district loss, Reeds Spring head coach Chris Funk is feels his team is ready to take a big step. With a season of varsity experience in the books, consistency will be the key.
“Last year we missed many opportunities to beat some quality teams,” Funk said. “Out of our 13 losses, we held the lead in five of those games in the fifth or sixth inning only to lose the game. One of our biggest obstacles last year was being able to finish games.”
Funk’s first order of business will be replacing five spots in the roster lost to graduation, including outfielder/shortstop Jake Fisher, who’s now playing at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
“Jake was one of the best athletes I have ever coached in baseball,” Funk said. “He was an extremely hard worker who played three different positions in his four years at Reeds Spring.”
Jareb Grinder (1B), Joe Studer (3B/P), Robert Lippert (P/OF) and Stone Woodward (C) round out the Wolves’ list of graduates.
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Reeds Spring’s returning group features a solid stable of playmakers.
Seniors Chance Herman and Logan Bauer return from injuries last season and will give the Wolves an immediate boost behind the plate and in the outfield.
Senior Brendan Durham provides Reeds Spring with the athleticism to play any of six positions.
Also returning are senior Senior Brendan Durham (UT); juniors Noah Briley (SS/P), Collin Cross (1B/P), Carter Sadler (OF) and Tyler Herzan (P/OF); and sophomore Collin Briley (2B).
Cross enters the season as the Wolves’ leader in average (.450), hits (34) and RBIs (26).
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Foster (1-4, 1.20 ERA) and Noah Briley (8-4, 3.39 ERA) return with the most experience on the mound for Reeds Spring.
“This group will be one of the most athletic teams that I have had in my 15 years of being at Reeds Spring,” Funk said. “We will be much improved offensively and defensively and will still look to put pressure on teams with our small ball style offensively.”
Consistency will be a key factor in the Wolves’ success this season, but the biggest challenge will likely come from Funk’s ability to further develop and manage a relatively inexperienced pitching staff. Of particular importance will be the new MSHSAA guidelines limiting innings this season.
“I would say the biggest factor in dealing with our success this year is staying healthy and our pitching staff,” Funk said. “We do have some players that have never pitched at the varsity level have to pitch valuable innings for us this season.”
Reeds Spring travels to Branson on March 11 for jamboree play with Branson, Forsyth and Hollister. The Wolves open the season March 17 at Forsyth.
