2020 Spring Preview: Catholic Baseball

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By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Springfield Catholic enjoyed a wealth of success in 2019

The 18-9 Fightin’ Irish captured a district championship before falling 5-4 in the sectional round to Monett.

Entering his third season at the helm, head coach Courtney Spitz hopes to build on last season’s success with another postseason run.

“We had an excellent 2019 campaign,” Spitz said. “We felt like we met our expectations, but it was — as always — tough to lose that game.”

A trio of key graduates depart the program in Will Duff, Zach Cole and Zach Shelangoski.

“We lost three key pieces to our program,” Spitz said. “We had such a great senior class, and they really led us to all our success.”

Duff (.451 BA, 13 HR, 32 RBI, 11 SB, 3-1, 2.01 ERA) and Cole (.329 BA, 7 HR, 25 RBI, 10 SB, 1-0, 2.62 ERA) received all-state honors last season.

Both players will continue their respective baseball careers at Vanderbilt University (Duff) and Ball State University (Cole).

A quartet of Catholic seniors will provide experience and leadership this season, including pitcher Gage Goss (.205 BA, 12 RBI, 1 SB, 2-2, 34 K, 3.15 ERA), infielder/pitcher Carter Bither (.344 BA, 14 RBI, 21 SB), utility Ben Galligos (.237 BA, 13 RBI, 7 SB) and infielder/pitcher Matt Pickens.

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Goss is signed to play at Maryville University, Bither at Lindenwood University and Pickens at McKendree University.

A pair of juniors also return in infielder/pitcher Jeremy Rader (.354 BA, 8 RBI, 10 SB, 6-1, 47 K, 2.026 ERA) and outfielder/pitcher Colin Davis (.228 BA, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 5 SB, 21 K, 1-0, 3.196 ERA).

Rader was an all-state selection last season.

Davis has committed to play at Butler University.

“All these players are returning from starting full-time on our district championship team,” Spitz said. “Currently, we have three seniors committed to play college baseball, as well as two juniors and two freshmen. These kids will have a chance to lead their team through another successful season, while putting their own stamp on the program. We will not be the same team we were last year, but we can be as successful.”

Catholic’s varsity newcomers feature a trio of freshmen, including infielder/pitcher Ben Smith, infielder/pitcher Coleman Morrison and utility/pitcher Hans Kaiser.

Smith and Morrison have both committed to play at the University of Missouri.

“We are going to be a team with a different identity than last year, but we can still compete at a very high level,” Spitz said. “Our pitching and defense will lead us early and if we are tough and competitive at the plate, we will go as far as we want.”

Rader, Goss, Bither, Pickens, Davis, Smith and Morrison are all expected to fill roles in Catholic’s pitching rotation, according to Spitz.

“Our pitching staff has the chance to be very good,” Spitz said. “We have several kids with great experience at the varsity level. Our key will be efficiency. We will also have some kids who are impacting the pitching rotation at a young age. Players need to have a tough mindset and adapt and overcome adversity.”

At the plate, Spitz believes Catholic will succeed with a patient and targeted approach.

“We hit quite a few big home runs last year, with two of our players combined for 20 total home runs,” Spitz said. “We won’t be the long-ball type team this year, and we need to focus on making people work hard to get us out.”

While Catholic should once again find itself in the hunt for conference and district titles, Spitz feels its talented freshman trio could help the team find postseason success, as well.

“Our biggest X factor might be our freshman class.” Spitz said. If these kids can come in and be productive right away it will take our team to another level. It will be fun to watch them compete and grow with our juniors and seniors.”

Catholic opens its season Monday, March 23, in the ROTB Tournament.

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