2018 Spring Preview: Licking Baseball

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By Amanda Perkins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

The Licking Wildcats had several bright spots in 2017. Their new coach, Harv Antle, led them to a 25-12 overall fall and spring record, including a 13-8 finish last spring before a 5-4 defeat against Ava in the district semifinals. Wins against Salem and district champion Mtn. Grove also stood out.

“I think the highlight of the season was the change of culture and attitude toward baseball,” said Coach Antle. “Baseball became fun again for many of the players. We definitely worked hard, but we had fun at the ballpark, too.”

Antle said his players spend time together on and off the field, getting to know one another in a more relaxed setting and also working on service projects together. “They learn to trust each other and begin to realize their teammate is a real person, and they gain an understanding of what servant leadership is…they gain a sense of community and understand the importance of teamwork and getting the focus off of self at the same time. We do these things as part of a total commitment to program, school, and community.”

But while the program is growing and strengthening, the Wildcats will have to cope with the loss of three standout players.

Dillon Smith (.484) was a first team all-conference, first team all-district, and second team all-state shortstop. A consistent pitcher with a 2.0 ERA, he was a leader for the team and considered one of the best players in the area. Brady Smith was also a member of the all-conference and all-district first teams. He is now playing college basketball, but his athleticism translated on the baseball field; he had a 2.21 ERA, led the staff with a 5-1 record, provided a pop in the middle of the order with a .347 average, and slugged 23 RBIs. Smith was also a tough competitor in the infield. Tristen Morelan was a first team all-conference, all-district catcher with speed at the top of the lineup, 20 innings on the mound, and a .455 average.

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Licking will welcome back two seniors. Trenton Campbell is a versatile player who could be found catching, playing third, pitching, or in the outfield. He’s a hard-working middle of the order batter and run producer. Jared Case is a lefty pitcher and first baseman. He pitched 10 innings last year but will be counted on more heavily this spring, possessing the ability to start and relieve. He has the ability to go on a hot streak at the plate as well.

Junior Carter Rinne is “a contact hitting shortstop with good hands, disciplined at the plate, always willing to take his walk and play the on-base game,” said Coach Antle. He can move runners and also will be helpful from the mound. Classmate Connor Medlock is another southpaw who also plays first base and outfield. He was an effective reliever last year, but he enters the spring as the ace. He also puts up a fight at the plate, hitting .333 last season. Michael Milhizer is the final returning junior, a strong and athletic player who “has the tools to dominate,” per his coach. He went 2-1 last year with a 3.78 ERA and hit .222 with two homers at the plate. He will be working to find consistency this season.

Gideon Antle earned first team all-conference and all-district honors as a freshman. The versatile sophomore can play anywhere and will be a reliever on the mound and a middle of the order hitter. He led the team with 25 RBIs last year, tallying a .407 average.

Several newcomers will aid the Wildcats, including Joshua Hurst, a senior transfer from Houston who started there a year ago. He should help the team on the mound and in the infield.

An effective reliever, junior Hunter Krewson performs well under pressure, and also plays outfield and infield. Junior Cainan Hutsell is an infielder who saw some varsity time last year and produced a .375 on-base percentage. “He adds speed to the lineup and brings a hard-nosed style of play,” said Antle. Reese Derrickson is another junior, and yet another lefty who should start in the outfield. Kaden Quick is the final returning junior, an outfielder who recently returned to baseball but has still played some varsity innings.

Freshmen Easton Ice and Wilson Murray round out the new crew. Ice is a left-handed hitter who could be a run producer and can play at first and in the outfield. Murray is a pitcher who would offer depth on the mound.

Coach Antle said his team will be working to be efficient on the mound and in the field, beefing up their defense and trying to throw strikes.

“Offensively, we stress contact and forcing the other team to make plays,” he said. “We want to be fearless on the bases and put pressure on the defense. We strive to play a hard seven of fundamentally sound baseball; we want to force the other team to beat us. We do not want to beat ourselves.”

The Wildcats open competition March 16 in their home opener against Dora.

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