By Brennan Stebbins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
It’s been six seasons since the Seneca baseball team finished with a winning record.
The Indians have improved their win total for two-straight seasons, though, from seven wins in 2016 to 12 last spring. With a handful of returning starters, and several returning All-Conference players, 2019 could be the year Seneca gets back above .500.
“We’ve got quite a few kids returning and we expect to be able to compete in games and have success when it comes to district time,” head coach Chris Yust said.
Yust said there will be several battles this spring for playing time with a good group of underclassmen competing for spots in the infield, outfield and on the mound.
The team does return four All-Big 8 Conference players, including a pair of unanimous picks.
Senior Gavin Clouse was a unanimous first-team outfielder last year and also earned second-team honors as a pitcher. Senior Alex Cook was a unanimous first-teamer as a designated hitter.
“Gavin ended up being our ace on the mound for us,” Yust said. “We expect a lot of good things out of him there.”
He pitched to a 1.56 ERA last year.
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The Indians also return number three starter Harris Griffith, a senior. He played at first base when he wasn’t pitching.
Other returning starters are senior Parker Wolfinbarger, who played on the infield; junior Monty Mailes, who played in the outfield; and Cook, the designated hitter who’s been starting since his sophomore year
Wolfinbarger can play just about anywhere, Yust said, and could also pitch this year. He was a second team All-Conference player last year. Mailes was the team’s leadoff hitter as a sophomore and also earned second team All-Conference honors. Cook will see a lot of time in the outfield this year.
Another returning player with varsity experience is sophomore Zach Cox. He caught some last season and also pitched in relief. Yust said he’ll expand those roles this year. Junior Daythen Long pitched some last season and is competing for a spot in the outfield.
Junior Kayden Hancock is competing for the third base job, and junior Jayd Skaggs is also competing for an infield spot.
“I have several sophomores who will push those guys, too,” Yust said.
He said he expects some 10th graders to make a big impact.
As far as a team strength, it’s too early to tell, Yust said. Last year the Indians stole a lot of bases but graduated Dawson Stephens, an All-Conference utility player who swiped 23 bags. Seneca does return a lot of speed though.
“We’ve got Monty and Gavin back and Parker did a lot of that last year,” Yust said.
Clouse led the team with 26 stolen bases in 2018, while Mailes stole 24
Clouse also led the team in batting average, hitting .426. Cook was a .346 hitter, Mailes hit .346 and Wolfinbarger batted .357.
“I look to be able to hit better and hopefully play better defense this year,” Yust said. “The key is being able to throw strikes and play defense.”
Yust’s goal for the season is simple.
“Improve each game and be ready to go come district time, come playoff time,” he said.
