By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Bolivar welcomes a new face in the dugout this season.
Head coach Darrin Ankrom takes over the reins after 11 years coaching in Houston, Tex.
Following an 11-7 record in 2022, the Liberators are eager to continue improving this season.
“Our biggest strength right now is our work ethic,” Ankrom said. “The new staff has brought in a lot of new changes and ideas. These guys have embraced everything and worked their tails off to get better.”
Senior outfielder Jake Banner (.306 BA), senior pitcher/infielder Ryder Hall (.250 BA, 4.10 ERA) and sophomore pitcher/infielder Garrett Cook (.296 BA, 2.11 ERA) return to lead the Liberators.
“We will rely heavily on the leadership of Jake Banner, Ryder Hall and Garrett Cook,” Ankrom said. “ All three are young men of great character and have a tremendous work ethic. They have the qualities of a great leader, they just need to have the confidence in themselves to help keep this team moving in the right direction.”
Senior pitcher Ethan Welch also returns after posting a 2.73 earned run average last season.
Ankrom expects a host of varsity newcomers to compete for playing time this season, including Kanyon DeGraffenreid, Ricky Gooding, Aiden Davis, Kaden Kelly, Brant Sawyer and Kanton Fisher.
“All of these guys have the potential to make huge contributions to our team,” Ankrom said. “None of them really have a lot of varsity experience, so they are going to have to jump in and make the adjustments pretty quick.”
With a difficult schedule, Ankrom believes his team will quickly develop during the season and be well-prepared to challenge in the postseason.
“My biggest expectation is that we compete every single pitch,” Ankrom said. “We have upgraded our schedule tremendously. The top of our conference is very strong and we have one of the toughest districts around. If we learn to compete in big games throughout the regular season, we have a chance to be right where we want come the district tournament.”
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On the mound, Bolivar will utilize a committee approach to its rotation and develop younger arms to contribute and compete, as well.
“While we do not have a dedicated ace to our staff, we have several guys that are going to give us quality innings on the mound,” Ankrom said. “We will be led by Ryder Hall, Garrett Cook, Ethan Welch and Kanyon DeGraffenreid. I expect to get quality innings out of Jake Banner, Brant Sawyer and Kanton Fisher as well.”
At the plate, Bolivar’s success will start with Banner’s ability to set the table and provide the Liberators with early baserunning pressure in games.
“It will all start at the top with our leadoff hitter Jake Banner,” Ankrom said. “He is our top returning hitter, as well as one of the fastest players in SWMO. If he can get on base, I like our chances of producing runs. I believe that if Banner, Gooding and DeGraffenreid can get on base, the middle of our lineup (Hall, Cook, Welch) will have the opportunity to drive in a lot of runs.”
Following a March 10 home jamboree with Buffalo and Nevada, Bolivar opens its season March 17 with the Bolivar Tournament.
