2023 Spring Preview: Lebanon Baseball

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By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

A new face will patrol the Lebanon dugout this season.

Head coach Alex Weathermon takes over the Yellowjacket reins following longtime coach Dustin Young’s move to administration.

A former head coach at Marionville, Weathermon’s teams captured a pair of district titles and a Class 2 state championship during his two seasons with the school.

“It will be fun having a new coaching staff in the dugout and the players are extremely excited for the season,” Weathermon said. “Getting players pumped up for baseball season is half the battle already won. Now it’s time for us to just become the best version of ourselves we can be.

“Our team is fairly young this year and did not see much experience during the season last year. We currently return four starters from last year’s squad that went 10-16. All four returners are all-conference and all-district honorees.”

Payton Wehner, Keaton Mizer, Hoyt Honey and Gavin Smith return to lead Lebanon this season.

Wehner, a senior pitcher, finished with a 3-1 record, 2.29 earned run average and 28 strikeouts last season.

“Payton provides us with a consistent strike throwing arm on the mound,” Weathermon said. “He does a good job keeping hitters off balance and challenging teams.”

Mizer, a senior pitcher, compiled a 5-4 record in 2022 with a 2.92 earned run average and 41 strikeouts.

“Keaton is a competitor who had a good run through the Ozark Conference last year,” Weathermon said. “We are looking for him to continue competing at a high level.”

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Honey, a junior infielder, hit .298 with 1 home run and 9 runs batted in last season.

“Hoyt is a leader who our younger guys look up to,” Weathermon said. “We look for Hoyt to hit at the top of the lineup and encourage our team at all times.”

Smith, a junior catcher, hit .320 with 10 runs batted in last season.

“Gavin will transition to behind the plate and is one of the most fundamental catchers I’ve ever coached,” Weathermon said. “We are looking for him to be the captain of our defense.”

Newcomers to the varsity roster include Ashton Coryell (P, OF, 2023), Parker Wehner (P, OF, 2023), Cole Dustin (P, OF, 2024), Blake Deckard (P, 2024), Josh Zeigenbein (P, 1B, 3B, 2024), Harrison Jay (P, 3B, 2024), Gunnar Gress (P, 2024), Austin Garrison (P, 2024), Griffin Jones (OF, 2024), Thomas Howe (P, 2024), Braiden Lamontagne (P, OF, 2025), Chance Cromer (2B, SS, 2025), Tony Myres (2B, 2025), Javen Wells (OF, 2025), Isaac Hillhouse (3B, DH 2025), and Nolan Milliken (DH, 2025).

“We are going to have a healthy competition at practice, because I am not sure who is going to play where,” Weathermon said. “Being new to the program, I’m excited to see so many younger kids fighting for positions. We will play with a lot of different lineups to find out what makes our team the best. These are awesome kids and I’m excited to see them go to battle this year.”

With a new roster and new coaching system, Lebanon’s development will be a work in progress this season; however, Weathermon expects his team to be competitive and well prepared come district time.

“I expect us to become a better overall baseball team as we gain more experience throughout the year,” Weathermon said. “I like our pitching staff and defense. Offensively, we are learning a new system here and will see players become more comfortable as the season progresses.”

On the mound, Weathermon has high expectations with Wehner and Mizer returning to anchor the Lebanon staff.

“Every player on our roster will learn how to pitch in an effort to create a deep staff,” Weathermon said. “We have a talented staff and I’m excited to see the returners mix with the newcomers. Our pitching coach has done a phenomenal job of developing velocity and command into these kids’ pitching toolbox. Our main factor on the mound will be if we can control the zone or not. Our kids have great stuff, but must be able to command it in every count for us to be successful.”

At the plate, Weathermon will look to develop both discipline and consistency throughout a young and relatively inexperienced lineup.

“I am not sure what our lineup will look like at this point. We have to do a better job of challenging the defense and striking out less. We have very few seniors, so we will be a young team this year. Gaining experience 1-9 and having them see quality pitching every outing will be our biggest help this season.”

Following a March 10 jamboree at Marshfield, Lebanon opens its season March 18 at St. Francis Borgia.

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