By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Forget, for a moment, what happened last March.
Well before the Stockton baseball team got the news it wouldn’t be playing any games last season, the Tigers knew their 2021 campaign was going to be significantly different.
Whether the team went on the deep playoff run which was expected of it or met another fate, this year’s group was always going to be younger and have less experience. Pandemic or not, five of their eight returning starters were going to graduate with the Class of 2020.
That doesn’t make not being able to play last year any easier to digest.
“It was devastating to lose that chance last year,” Stockton coach Darin Henderson said. “We had so many returners that had put the time in. They deserved a chance to compete in the playoffs but that didn’t happen. We really thought we had a special group. Sometimes in life stuff like that happens and you have to regroup and refocus.”
As the Tigers regroup, they return just three starters from the 2019 team that went 12-10 and 4-2 in the Mid-Lakes Conference. One of them may miss the entire season with an injury. That means that plenty of sophomores and juniors will hold key roles on the varsity club.
“We are the complete opposite of last spring,” Henderson said.
The Tigers will have to fill the void left by all-state selections Drew Wheeler and Garrett Haden, plus fellow 2020 graduates Tyler Mehl, Zack Burns and Cole Garretson.
Junior outfielder-pitcher Layne Covin, who won a starting role as a freshman, was expected to be a key contributor but is out indefinitely as he recovers from an arm injury. In his absence, the Tigers will need even more production from Tate Wheeler and Tanner Boyles.
Wheeler, Drew’s brother, hit .362 and received all-district and all-conference honors as a sophomore shortstop. Boyles, the starting third baseman, impressed with solid, sound play as a freshman. The two will also bring a solid 1-2 punch in Stockton’s pitching rotation.
The rest of the Stockton lineup contains very little varsity experience. Henderson said that was a concern, though noted many schools are dealing with the same issue after last spring.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
“In the past that is what has carried us over the hump,” Henderson said. “This year we will have to develop it as we go.”
Henderson is also excited to see the development of sophomore Wyatt Downs, who is expected to be the team’s No. 3 starter. The dynamic newcomer will also see a lot of time at shortstop and third base when Wheeler and Boyles have their turns in the rotation.
“Wyatt is an impact player,” Henderson said. “He can play multiple positions and brings tremendous athleticism. He is going to lead off for us and we expect him to play a lot of positions this spring. I believe he will develop into one of the best players in the area.”
Junior David Barnes and sophomore Colton Bock will also see some time on the mound.
Barnes is a solid defender who will be the team’s everyday first baseman, while Bock is a versatile player who can play the corner infield or outfield slots or be the designated hitter.
Junior newcomer Calvin Johnson provides a solid bat in the middle of the lineup, and could secure one of the outfield spots. The other one will likely go to sophomore Beaux Brogden.
“(Brogden) looks to be our center fielder,” Henderson said. “He is a long athletic kid who gets better each and every day. We like his potential and are going to put a lot on him this spring.”
The Tigers will also ask a lot of sophomore Quinn Bahr, who will be the opening-day catcher. Henderson said the team moved Bahr behind the plate right before last spring’s shutdown.
“He is developing into a quality catcher and we think by the end of the year he will be very good defensively,” Henderson said. “He has to take on a lot of leadership responsibilities with this role and he is more than capable of filling those.”
Senior outfielder DJ Bays will also “get a good chance to start,” Henderson said, adding he was curious to see how the Class of 2021 would handle their new roles as veteran leaders.
“Leadership is a concern,” Henderson said. “Usually, we spend time their junior year helping them develop into leaders. We didn’t get that opportunity last spring, so it will be interesting to see that play out. My assumption is that it will take a while for everyone to figure out their roles. Once they do, I expect us to be playing good baseball.”
The Tigers will host El Dorado Springs and Lockwood in a March 16 jamboree, then play their first games of the regular season in the Bolivar Tournament that begins on March 19.
“I am excited to see the growth of this group.” Henderson said. “There are some good young baseball players here. It is exciting to see them develop and learn to compete.”
