2017 Baseball Preview: Southwest

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By Derek Shore/For OzarksSportsZone.com

Head Coach: Kenny Ferguson
2015-16: 13-11 W-L (4-1 in Ozark 7 play) – Beat by Purdy in Class 2, District 12 semifinals
Top Players: Paton Clay (P/SS), Landon Wright (CF/P), Jay Fields (P/SS), Tanner Leonhardt (2B/1B), and Jarrett Pike (C/P)

The Trojans of Southwest open the 2016-17 campaign following a 13-11 season last spring and a 7-7 record this past fall with enough returning pieces to continue to compete atop the Ozark 7 Conference this spring.

“I feel we have the capability of being very good this spring,” said head coach Kenny Ferguson. “We showed flashes of how good we could be in the fall. Consistency was our downfall which was disappointing to me. Our defense was solid at times and horrible at times. Our swing and miss ratio was way too high. With the new pitch count rule, no one really knows how it’s going to go.”

From last year, Southwest graduated four regulars and five lettermen, headlined by 1st-team all-conference pitcher Garrett Hobbs as well as Jacob Wolf, River Fields, Robbie Randall, and Brent Anderson.

“This group of boys were great teammates,” Ferguson said. “Garrett was the only one who started every game. Not only were they good teammates, but they were great young men and well respected around the school.”

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Returning this season for the Trojans are: seniors Paton Clay, Landon Wright, Levi Moore, and Steven Skinkis; juniors Jay Fields, Tanner Leonhardt, Tanner Hackett, Caid Harrison, and Vinny Suchowski.

Clay, Wright, Fields, Leonhardt, and Pike all started for Southwest last season.

Clay, who earned all-conference and all-district honors, went 3-3 with a 3.47 ERA on the mound last year. Starting at shortstop since his freshman year, he hit .397 with 10 extra-base hits, seven stolen bases, and 28 RBIs as a junior.

“He’s a steady defender and has pitched some big games for us,” his coach said. “He has been a little streaky at the plate, but when he is on, he is a strong gap hitter with good speed on the bases. I look for Paton to have a big spring for us.”

Wright, who also garnered all-conference and all-district, will play center fielder and pitch after batting .272 with 13 RBIs last season as well.

“Landon is our center fielder and leadoff hitter,” Ferguson said. “He’s an excellent bunter and our fastest baserunner. He batted 353 this fall, and I expect him to pick up where he left off. He will also see some innings on the mound for us.”

Despite losing Hobbs, the Trojans regain their No. 1 hurler and three-hole hitter in Fields, who posted a 6-4 record with two saves and 2.22 ERA on the bump. As a hitter, the shortstop put up a .338 average with 11 RBI before improving to a .388 clip in the fall. He’s another all-conference and all-district honoree.

“We need Jay to drive in more runs,” Ferguson said. “When not pitching he will play short, third, and some left field depending on who is pitching. Jay also has nice base running speed.”

Leonhardt .288 in the spring with four extra-base hits, 15 RBI, and 21 thefts on the base paths. Ferguson would like to see more overall consistency in his game.

“Tanner needs to cut back on his swing and miss ratio, and he would bat .450,” he added. “When he makes contact, the ball it jumps off his bat. He tends to overthink sometimes. Tanner will play some second and first base. He needs a little more defensive consistency.”

After playing varsity as a freshman, Pike will be Southwest’s starting catcher, who does a good job of throwing out runners behind the dish. Ferguson said he developed a little pop in the fall and said he’ll start games this spring.

As for the other returnees, Moore played first and third during the fall, looking for more consistent defense. Hackett, a high-contact hitter, will play outfield and second base as well as pitch. Harrison, who is Southwest’s hardest thrower, will pitch and play left field. Skinkis will need to cut down on his strikeouts and raise his average for consistent playing time while Suchowski will be the backup catcher and will spell in the infield.

Ferguson listed his top newcomers as followed: Chance Black (5-foot-8 sophomore pitcher), Logan Deason (5-foot-8 freshman pitcher/third baseman), Reid Fosse (5-foot-8 sophomore), Timothy DeShields (5-foot-8 sophomore), Eli Atkinson (5-foot-8 sophomore), and Rayven Crowe (5-foot-9 senior).

Southwest hosts Exeter on Mon., Mar. 20 to start the season.

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