By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Buffalo made some huge strides in 2017, posting a 15-7 record — the program’s first winning season since 2012. While the Bison were eliminated 12-0 in the district semifinal by Bolivar, head coach Jeff Elsenraat is optimistic about the future.
“Last year’s team was much improved,” Elsenraat said. “We finished 4th in the conference and were ranked 8th in state at a point in time during the season. I think the teams we played were surprised at the level of competition we were able to bring to the field last season, versus past seasons.”
Buffalo’s graduated seniors include Austin Williams (.328, 23 RBI, 2.00 ERA), Travis Clemmons (.254, 6 RBI, 5 SB, 2.80 ERA), Colby Kramer (.365, 9 RBI, 6 SB) and Drew Kays (.291, 7 RBI, 6 SB).
Williams now plays at Northwestern College.
Despite the number of departed graduates, Buffalo’s roster is far from empty.
A quartet of seniors return to lead the Bison in 2018, including Billy McCune (OF/P), Jared Gentry (OF/P), Parker Tyree (C/P) and Cody Anderson (1B/P).
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An honorable mention all-conference and 2nd team all-district selection, McCune (.260, 16 RBI, 2.04 ERA) will patrol center field for the Bison.
Gentry (.286, 9 RBI, 3 SB) will move to the outfield after spending most of 2017 as the team’s designated hitter.
Tyree (.315, 8 RBI, 10 SB, 2.94 ERA) received 2nd team all-conference and all-district honors last season. He will take over as Buffalo’s starting catcher.
Anderson (.232, 7 RBI, 4 SB, 1.44 ERA) will anchor the Bison pitching staff with an innate ability to get batters out and compete every time he’s on the mound.
With several open roster positions in the lineup, Buffalo’s varsity newcomers will have ample opportunity to battle for playing time.
Players looking to make an immediate impact at the varsity level include junior Tyler Gash (INF/P), junior Bradley Hosiner (INF/P) freshman Jamen Smith (UT) and senior Braden Mathews (INF).
“Our team was much improved last season from years past,” Elsenraat said. “Even though we lost several of our seniors who were key players for us, I feel the players we have on the roster this year will be able to step-up to fill the vacancies left and have a real impact for us in close game situations.”
For Buffalo to be successful in 2018, Elsenraat believes day-to-day fundamentals will set the tone early and build a foundation for future success.
“I want the team to continue to work together in order to build a good team chemistry,” Elsenraat said. “I want them to be able to do the little things day in and day out that could potentially turn into the big things in order to add to the win column and stay competitive in a very tough conference.”
Buffalo’s regular season begins March 16 at home against Dadeville.
