By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Forsyth baseball enjoyed a successful season in 2022.
The Panthers finished with a 17-7 record, falling to Hollister in the district semifinal.
For head coach Byron Richardson, optimism abounds as eight starters return to the lineup.
“Last year we went 17-7,” Richardson said. “We had a team of one senior, two juniors and the majority of our lineup was sophomores with a couple freshmen. We look to have another good season. We return all, but one player with a talented younger group as well,”
Seniors Aaron Gross and Zack Strahan return to lead the Panthers this season.
Gross, an all-conference/all-district utility player and pitcher, hit .324 last season with 21 runs batted in and 1 stolen base. On the mound, he compiled a 5-2-1 record with a 1.59 earned run average.
“Aaron has great hands, good arm and a good bat,” Richardson said. “He is a strong kid that works hard. Aaron should drive in a lot of runs for us, and give us great outings on the mound.”
Strahan, an all-conference/all-district outfielder, hit .354 with 10 runs batted in and 13 stolen bases in 2022.
“Zack is a great defender in the outfield with great speed,” Richardson said. “Zack’s hitting improved greatly last season. I look for him to be on base and score a lot of runs this season.”
Both Gross and Strahan are signed to play at College of the Ozarks next season.
Additional returning starters include Tristan Hunter, Phoenix Maloney, Nick Guy, Easton Day, Colton Wisenhunt and Braxton Gross.
Hunter, an all-conference/all-district junior infielder and pitcher, hit .351 last season with 1 home run, 15 runs batted in and 19 stolen bases. On the mound, he compiled a 5-2-1 record with a .556 earned run average.
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“Tristan has an electric arm and bat. Tristan put up some of the best pitching numbers in the state last season as a sophomore. I look for Tristan to have a big season and cutdown his strikeouts at the plate.”
Maloney, a junior infielder and outfielder, hit .190 with 15 runs batted in and 4 stolen bases.
“Phoenix is a solid defender with pretty good speed,” Richardson said. “We look for his hitting to improve and to wreak havoc on the bases.”
Guy, an all-conference junior outfielder, hit .267 with 1 home run, 12 runs batted in and 7 stolen bases.
“Nick has good speed and has turned himself into a plus defender in the outfield,” Richardson said. “Nick’s hitting continues to improve.”
Day, a junior infielder, hit .246 with 9 runs batted in and 4 stolen bases.
“Easton was a very solid second baseman last season,” Richardson said. “He is one of the emotional leaders. He has good instincts. We look for Easton’s hitting to continue to improve.”
Wisenhunt, a junior infielder, hit .250 with 16 runs batted in last season.
“Colton made several good scoops at first base last season and had a couple big RBIs for us,” Richardson said. “We look for Colton’s arm strength, speed, and his power to increase this season.”
Braxton Gross, an all-conference sophomore infielder and catcher, hit .300 with 1 home run, 13 runs batted in and 6 stolen bases.
“Braxton is one of the biggest competitors around,” Richardson said. “As a freshman, he put up good numbers. We look for him to be one of our defensive leaders and to make more noise at the plate this season.”
Junior infielder/pitcher Dylan Jennings (1-0, 1.23 ERA) also returns for the Panthers.
“Dylan will receive more time on the mound this season,” Richardson said. “Dylan is constantly around the zone and keeps us in games. Dylan’s defense and hitting continue to improve, and I look for him to compete for more playing time.”
In addition to its strong returning core, Forsyth will welcome a quartet of newcomers to the varsity roster in sophomore infielder Jerret Walls, sophomore infielder Ayden Cleveringa, sophomore outfielder/infielder Tyler Strahan junior utility Mason Campbell.
“There will be more competition for playing time this year than ever before,” Richardson said. “This should help us improve every day. We have really good pitching returning as well as a solid defense. We will focus on improving our hitting and baserunning. Our lineup is capable of being really good with a deep bench. It will take all of us buying into the team first approach for us to reach our goals of winning a conference and district championship.”
Following a March 10 home jamboree with Reeds Spring and Hollister, Forsyth opens its season
