2017 Baseball Preview: Bolivar

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By Denise Tucker

Ending last season with an extra-inning loss in the Class 4 District 10 final left a bitter taste for the Bolivar Liberators.

Bolivar was stacked with talent, finishing 22-4 overall and going undefeated (6-0) in the Central Ozark Conference Small. But a 5-4 loss in 10 innings to Jefferson City Helias in the district championship ended hopes of making a deep run in the playoffs.

This season, Liberators have some huge shoes to fill with the loss of four key players to graduation.

At the top of that list is J.D. Murders, who was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and is currently playing in the Gulf Coast League. The others on that list include: Jackson Abdon, now playing at Benedictine College; Camden Burns at Crowder Junior College; and John Cates at Evangel University.

“The biggest thing we will miss from this whole group is their overall baseball IQ,” Bolivar coach Brad Roweton said. “Yes, they were talented, but they ‘played’ at the game of baseball. Baseball was fun for them – that and hunting.”

The coaching staff had to actually enforce a “no-hunting days” rule so that players would be ready on game night.

“I don’t know how well they followed that rule…,” Roweton said, “but they were a fun group to be around and they will be missed.”

But the Liberators have a solid group coming back, in which Roweton has confidence.

Connor Sechler, a 6-foot-3 senior right-hander, returns to the mound, but will also play the infield. Sechler went 6-2 last year with a 1.54 earned run average, and was a first-team All-COC and all-district pick and was named second-team all-state. Sechler will be pitching at Missouri State University next year.

“He has a strong arm and a high baseball IQ,” Roweton said of Sechler. “He has always been a leader on the field and we are looking for more of the same this year.”

Also returning for the Liberators is senior Brit Tucker, who has signed to play at Central Methodist University.

“Brit can play anywhere on the field,” Roweton said. “We will be looking for him to play infield and pitch for us this season. He had several appearances last season and filled in nicely wherever he was playing. He has a strong arm and has the ability to be a good hitter.”

Juniors Chase Hampton and Zach Howard are expected to play bigger roles this season.

“Chase ran for us last year, but he will be ready to go in the outfield this spring,” Roweton said. “He has speed and gets good jumps on balls off the bat.

“Last year, Zach was used primarily in a hitting role. This year he will catch, play infield and pitch for us. He has good hands, a strong arm and has the ability to be a good hitter.”

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The Liberators also have a stable full of newcomers ready to make an impact.

“How quickly these newcomers adjust to varsity ball will determine how successful we are this season,” Roweton said. “Hopefully, we can become a viable team by the end of the year.”

Those players include:

*Deacon Banner – junior – a leader with a good work ethic, who will compete for an infield spot and be in the pitching rotation.
*Jack Hadank – sophomore – will compete for playing time at catcher, infield and pitcher; has good hands and the ability to get hot with the bat.
*Colton Lindsay – junior – will compete for playing time in the infield; good hand-eye coordination and a quick throw.
*AJ Lynn – junior – will be competing for playing time in the outfield; strong with a good arm.
*Morgan Moore – senior – will compete for playing time in the outfield and at pitcher; an athletic kid who has the ability to get hot with the bat.
*Brock Phipps – sophomore – will compete for time in the outfield and infield; has nice hands and is a good competitor at the plate.
*Jayden Serls – junior – is consistent in the infield and has excellent hands; will be looked to for leadership this season.
*Wesley Severns – junior – could make some noise at the plate; working to improve defensively.
*Brayden Tunender – junior – left-handed pitcher who should find his way into the rotation; will also compete for time in the infield and outfield.
*Joey Vote – sophomore – a good athlete who learns quickly; will compete for time in the outfield.
*Peyton Wine – sophomore – will compete for time on the mound; a consistent pitcher with a high baseball IQ, who also has shown the ability to be a good hitter.

Bolivar will compete in a jamboree with Lebanon and Miller, and then open the season March 17-18 with the Bolivar Tournament, which includes Clinton, El Dorado Springs and Stockton.

“Our biggest challenge will be trying to mature as quickly as possible, while facing the pressures of varsity-level play,” Roweton said. “The X-factor will be just how quickly this occurs. If it happens quickly, then that would be a positive for us.”

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