By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The New Covenant dugout will feature a new skipper this season, as Chris Long takes over for John Hartley.
Long’s eight previous coaching years have included stints at Crocker, Walnut Grove and Verona.
“I have been very fortunate to step into the situation that I have,” Long said. “Coach Hartley and his staff left the program in a great place. I am very fortunate to have known many of the players in our program through the travel ball circuit over the last six years. I feel this lessened the learning curve for many of our guys, especially those on varsity. With that said, it has been a matter of just jumping in and putting our fingerprint on the program.”
“Over the past two years, there have been a number of players who have graduated that had a major impact on the success of the program,” Long said. “Among those are Ryan Carmack, Max Breite and Graham Breite. The leadership, determination, and service to the program these three showed during their time here will be greatly missed, but also built upon by the returning group.
Carmack is currently playing at Southwest Baptist University, while the Breite brothers are both playing at Drury University.
Replacing a trio of college-bound athletes is never easy; however, Long and the Warriors aren’t exactly dealing with an empty cupboard.
Three of New Covenant’s returning seniors have already signed letters of intent to play at the next level including outfielder Simeon Martin (Hannibal-LaGrange University), catcher/pitcher Dillon Dougherty (Evangel University) and infielder Nate Butler (University of Concordia-Irvine).
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The Warriors’ fourth senior, utility/pitcher Nathan Good, could have joined his classmates, but chose to go the medical school route, according to Long.
Utility Jared Jackson, pitcher/infielder Zach Miniz, outfielder/pitcher Josiah Jones, utility/pitcher Lane Tyson and pitcher/utility Gabe Bennett will also make immediate impacts this season, according to Long.
“This season is going to be challenging,” Long said. “I feel like we have a team that can compete at the Class 3 level (assuming that’s where we are). We have a ton of guys with experience and some underclassmen that have some talent. Hopefully we can put it all together.”
In its brief, five-year history, New Covenant has benefited greatly from a dominant player on the mound. While the same might well hold true for 2021, Long believes his team may employ more of a committee approach to the position.
“This is the first time that I can remember that NCA doesn’t have that ‘dude’ on the mound,” Long said. “They have had the likes of the Breite’s and Carmack for the past four years. While we don’t have that dominant arm, we have a lot of guys that challenge the strike zone and will compete their tails off and get outs. We probably run 7-8 deep at that position as it sits now. Also, I haven’t seen everyone at this point, so it may be more.”
Just as with pitching, Long believes consistency at the plate will be a key to New Covenant’s success this season.
“As long as we maintain aggression and consistency on the offensive side of the ball, we will be just fine,” Long said. “We have a decent mix of contact, power, and speed. It’s my job to make sure that they are in the best position to succeed. It will take some time, but I think we will get it going pretty quickly.”
Following a jamboree March 12 at U.S. Ballpark with Gainesville, Sparta and Weaubleau, New Covenant opens its season at home March 19 against Humansville.
