By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Following a district title in 2019, Clever had high hopes to take the next step last season, according to head coach Justin Snider.
Covid-19 changed all that.
“The cancellation of the 2020 season was extremely disappointing for us,” Snider said. “We had very high expectations to defend our district championship and look to a deeper drive into the playoffs.”
Blaze Akins departs the program following graduation and will be playing at Evangel University this season.
With a lone senior graduate in 2020, expectations are once again high for the Bluejays heading into the spring campaign.
“We return a huge part of the team that helped us win the district title in 2019, including our top two pitchers,” Snider said. “We had a solid summer that allowed us to develop and gel as a group, as well.”
Clever’s returning core includes a quintet of senior leaders in shortstop/pitcher Jake Twigg (4-4, 2.76 ERA, .313 BA), infielder/pitcher Zack Garcia (4-3-1, 3.61 ERA, 42 IP, 37 K), catcher Tanner Bradshaw (.337 BA, 2 HR, 21 RBI), first baseman/pitcher Cole Langley (.269 BA, 14 RBI) and pitcher/third baseman Nolan Hall (1-0, 2.06 ERA, 17 IP).
A pair of senior classmates also return to the squad to compete for varsity playing time including outfielder/pitcher Drew Hanafin and outfielder/pitcher Dylan Thompson.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
The Bluejays welcome a host of newcomers to the varsity roster in utility/pitcher Corbin Allie (JR), designated hitter Seth McGaughey (JR), utility/pitcher Hayden Camp (SO), infielder/pitcher Lane Mendenhall (FR) outfielder/pitcher Brayden Verch (FR).
Senior Anthony Maddox, sophomore Trevor Deulen, sophomore Carter Wenger and freshman Trace Barnes could also see playing time during the season.
With a wealth of talent and experience on the roster, Clever’s primary strength will reside on the mound.
“We return our top two arms from 2019 — Zack Garcia and Jake Twigg — they will lead us,” Snider said. “We look for Corbin Allie, Lane Mendenhall and Brayden Verch to anchor the other starting spots; with Nolan Hall, Drew Hanafin and several others leading us in relief roles.”
While the Bluejays will be able to roll out two dominant starters, the rest of the staff will need to develop quickly and be consistent at the varsity level, according to Snider.
“When you rely on two freshmen as possible starters in your top five it will depend on their mental toughness and ability to overcome adversity. Outside of that we feel really good about the guys who will take the mound for us this year.”
At the plate, Clever’s experience and talent should also pay big dividends during the season, as long as it can produce at a consistent level.
“We should be really good 1-6 in our lineup,” Snider said “We have a great mix of power and speed. 7-9 will need to produce for us to move to the next level. We have an experienced lineup that has gotten a lot of reps in over the summer. We will have to drive runs in when guys are in scoring position more consistently than we did at times last summer, but everyday practice should help that.”
Following a March 12 jamboree at home with Cassville, Billings and Dadeville, Clever opens its season March 20 with a double-header in Monett against the host school and Purdy.
