By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
There will be a new face patrolling the dugout in Nixa this season.
Logan Hughes, a longtime assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Drury University, takes over a program which posted an 18-8 record in 2021.
“Last year’s team had a pretty good season at 18-8, but a disappointing ending with a first round loss in districts to Ozark,” Hughes said. “It has really motivated our guys this off-season, as they have been working really hard.”
With a trio of talented graduates continuing their respective careers at the collegiate level, Hughes will hit the ground running to field replacements for Evan Johnston (North Central Missouri College), Isaac Mitchell (Missouri State University) and Quinn Gundlefinger (Garden City Community College).
Mitchell, in particular, leaves Nixa with a hole to fill on the mound.
“Isaac Mitchell was a staple for the pitching staff last season, because you knew you were going to get 5 or 6 innings from him every outing,” Hughes said. “We will need guys to step up this year and fill that role.”
Key returners for the Eagles are Jaret Nelson (senior catcher and outfielder), Ryan Retone (senior infielder), Keith Piepmeyer (senior pitcher and outfielder), Sam Russo (senior outfielder and pitcher), Hardy Dougan (senior left-handed pitcher) and Rylan Michel (sophomore infielder and pitcher).
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“All of these players bring a great amount of leadership and toughness to our team,” Hughes said. “Their hard work and dedication to getting better every day is what makes them great leaders for our entire team.”
Nelson, and all-state selection in 2021 at catcher, is poised to lead the Eagles, according to Hughes.
“Jaret Nelson batted .488 with 14 doubles, 6 home runs, 37 RBI and 18 stolen bases,” Hughes said. “He’s a guy that has the tools to do it all on the baseball field, and I’m excited to watch him play this year.”
Varsity newcomers for Nixa include sophomore catcher Jack Edwards, junior infielder Tanner Grant, and freshman outfielder Wyatt Vincent. Hughes expects all three could make immediate impacts in the varsity lineup.
“With the amount of returning seniors, and the upcoming talent we have in our younger classes, our coaching staff expects us to have a great season,” Hughes said. “We have an extremely tough conference and district, so we are going to have to show up every day ready to play.”
Hughes believes last season’s missed opportunities have served as motivation for this year’s development and potential for success.
“We believe we have a team that is really hungry,” Hughes said. “Our guys have been extremely motivated since day one, and they feel like they have a lot to prove. Last year’s season didn’t end the way they wanted it to, and you can tell. We will compete every single day as hard as we can.”
On the mound, Hughes believes he has a number of options who could step forward and anchor the staff this season.
“If our guys will be competitive early in the strike zone, I believe our pitching staff is going to surprise a lot of people,” Hughes said. “We have a bunch of guys who are competing for time on the mound, so it should be a very competitive March as guys try to separate themselves from others.”
At the plate, Hughes believes overall team speed will definitely be a factor and focus.
“The strength of our lineup will be our ability to run and put pressure on people,” Hughes said. “We should have several guys that can affect the game with their speed and cause problems for opposing defenses. With our strong bats in the middle of our order, an emphasis of our team will be finding the right guys who will get on base consistently so our power guys can drive them in.”
Following a March 12 jamboree at U.S. Ballpark, Nixa will open its season at home March 18 against Poplar Bluff.
