By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Hollister baseball team graduated just one starter in the Class of 2022.
He truly was in a class of his own.
With all-state pitcher/infielder Clay Kemp now playing at St. Louis Community College, a talented and experienced group of Tigers return to lead a program that has recorded three 20-win campaigns in the past four seasons — including a run to the Final Four two years ago.
The Tigers will have nine seniors this spring, including many who made valuable contributions during that storybook 2021 campaign. Following Kemp’s departure, the Tigers will lean on that big-game experience as they look to improve on last year’s 20-7 season.
“Clay Kemp can not be replaced,” Hollister coach Trent Oxenreider said. “He could win any game off the mound and was our best bat in the middle of our lineup. With that said, we return a lot of really good players that have played a lot the past two years. We will be really good off the mound and defensively, but will have to find ways to manufacture runs.”
Four of Hollister’s seniors – pitcher/infielder Malachi Henry, pitcher/utility man Sam Teaster, centerfielder Blake Russell and pitcher/utility man Luke Calovich – are coming off all-conference seasons. Henry, Teaster and Russell were also all-district honorees.
Henry is poised to anchor the Hollister rotation after going 6-1 with a 1.52 earned-run average and picking up three saves last year. He also hit .346 and stole 15 bases.
“He is one of the best pitchers in (southwest Missouri) and will be counted on to counter everyone’s No. 1,” Oxenreider said.
Teaster hit .384 last spring and drove in 25 runs, tops among returning Tigers.
“Sam will fill a utility role again this spring,” Oxenreider said. “He will find many innings on the mound and bat in the middle of our lineup.”
No returning Hollister player stole more bases (20) or had a better batting average (.388) than Russell last season. He also drove in 21 runs, which trails only Teaster.
“We look for Blake to continue to hit in the two-hole and provide pressure on the defense with his speed,” Oxenreider said.
Calovich brings some versatility to the Hollister lineup. He went 2-1 with a 4.80 ERA as a pitcher and hit .299 with 18 RBI at the plate.
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“Luke is a very athletic player for us,” Oxenreider said. “He should find himself somewhere in the middle of our lineup. We hope to see Luke increase his time on the mound.”
Another player poised for increased pitching responsibilities is senior Ronny Daniels, who went 3-0 with a 3.90 ERA last season.
With Henry firmly entrenched as the team’s ace, Oxenreider said Daniels, Calovich and Teaster will all have the opportunity to pitch in big games that Kemp handled last season.
“Losing Clay hurts, but we feel we can compete for conference and district championships if we continue to get better offensively and find another varsity arm off the mound to solidify our rotation,” Oxenreider said.
Hollister’s pitchers will have a familiar face behind the plate, as senior Ethan Wright returns to his role as starting catcher.
“He is extremely competitive,” Oxenreider said. “He has matured, gotten stronger and (is) becoming more of a leader we need in that position.”
Outfielders Eathen Felts and Ayden Kimmel and pitcher/first baseman Ryland Franks round out Hollister’s deep senior class.
Oxenreider called Felts a “vital asset” in Hollister’s running game, and he stole 11 bases last spring. Kimmel’s junior season was cut short due to a broken foot, but he looks to lock down a starting job now that he’s healthy.
Franks didn’t allow an earned run last year, and finished with 15 RBI.
Juniors Isaac Bebee (catcher/designated hitter) and Jacob Fletcher (infielder/pitcher) will also have a chance to earn playing time.
The Tigers will compete in a March 10 jamboree at Forsyth against the Panthers and Reeds Spring, then open the regular season on March 18 in Joplin.
Hollister’s home opener is set for March 27 against Monett, while the Tigers will kick off their Big 8 East schedule when Marshfield visits on April 11.
Another date to circle is April 18, when the Tigers travel to Logan-Rogersville. The Wildcats ended Hollister’s season in the district title game en route to a state runner-up finish last spring.
“I truly believe our kids responded well by finding their own identity last season,” Oxenreider said. “Many of our players stepped into new roles or were asked to contribute more. The loss in the district championship hurt, but our kids rebounded and had a very productive summer.”
