By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Like most baseball coaches, B.J. Curry of Pierce City High School spent the winter stewing, eager for spring. Truth is, he was probably more so than most.
Two years ago, Pierce City won 17 games. Last year, that figure rose to 20 as the Eagles won the Spring River Valley Conference, rose to No. 5 in the Class 2 state polls and yet …
“We have never won a district title in our history and that’s something we definitely have in our sights,” said Curry, the SRVC Coach of the Year last season. “The guys are excited.”
They should be. While the team graduated shortstop/pitcher Mason Moreland, a First-Team All-SRVC and First-Team All-District selection, as well as reliable outfielder Devin Cox, a batch of 10 seniors could see to it that history is made.
Start with the pitching staff. It features senior Hunter Hatfield, a First-Team All-SRVC and All-District who is getting looks from Jucos and other small four-year colleges. He was 7-2 with a 1.49 earned run average last year.
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“Hatfield has been our No. 1 guy the last two years,” Curry said. “We feel like when he’s on the mound, we have a chance to compete against anybody. He’s not overpowering but throws strikes and give you a chance very time out.”
Hunter Tindell, a senior, also will be a key on the mound. He earned Honorable Mention All-SRVC and All-District last year after finishing 4-1 with a 1.63 ERA.
“Tindell is a big, 6-foot-5 kid who two years ago was right up there with Hatfield and pitched great for us last year,” Curry said. “He didn’t pitch high-leverage innings last year, but that’s going to change. If we’re going to compete, Tindell is going to be a big part of it.”
The staff includes seniors Bill Ashley, Donell Kleiboeker as well as sophomores Gabe George and Aaron Garner. They could be key in covering innings in the wake of Moreland’s graduation. Ashley was Second Team All-State at catcher and was First Team All-District and All-SRVC.
“With Moreland being gone, Bill is probably our hardest thrower, but he’s also our primary catcher,” Curry said. “Donell pitched in some big innings for us last year. He’s not a hard thrower, but he one we need to get in there to get outs. Gabe, as a freshman, didn’t get on the mount but threw well in JV.”
The projected lineup has senior Dallas Kleiboeker at leadoff. He was First Team All-Conference and All-District a year ago when he batted .303 and stole 15 bases.
“What he does well is work counts and, once he gets on base, he puts pressure on the other side,” Curry said. “He’s not plus-plus (as a runner), but he’s a good runner.”
The rest of the lineup could feature sophomore shortstop Aaron Garner, and then Ashley, Tindell (First Team All-SRVC and All-District), Donell Kleiboeker (Honorable Mention All-SRVC), Hatfield, senior Gage Brown, sophomore outfielder/second baseman Gabe George and senior second baseman/outfielder Aric Zabala, with senior Logan Kluck as a designated hitter.
The lineup a year ago batted roughly .330, up more than 120 points from 2016. Garner is a consistent batter who drew twice as many walks as struck out last year, with 17 RBI and 16 steals. Ashley hit .550 with 44 hits, including 11 doubles and a home run, along with 40 RBI and 25 stolen bases.
“Ashley had a huge year for us last year,” Curry said. “He can drive the ball out of the ballpark. He’s also a good athlete and can steal bases.”
Tindell hit .361 with nine doubles among his 30 hits and also had 29 RBI.
“Tindell can drive the ball gap to gap,” Curry added. “When the game is on the line, you feel like he can get a hit. He likes those big moments.”
The team can also bring sophomores Seth fisher and Aiden Kleinman off the bench.
Defensively, the team should be sound as well, given the Eagles know their pitchers pitch to contact.
“There’s no question about their character and hard work,” Curry said. “It’s just, ‘Can we get out and execute and win the games we need to?”
