By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Mt. Vernon enjoyed a winning season in 2022.
The Mountaineers finished with a 14-13 record, falling to Aurora in the district championship.
Longtime head coach Nick Swillum was pleased with the way his young team battled through adversity during the season and finished with momentum.
“We were extremely young last year,” Swillum said. “We had two senior starters, three sophomores and four freshmen who started nearly every game along with three other freshmen who contributed; however, our senior leadership was strong, and we performed at a very competitive level continuing to improve throughout the season. Although we struggled through the Big 8 East Division in conference play, when districts rolled around we were playing pretty good baseball.”
Six varsity starters return to lead Mt. Vernon in Braden Dodson, Jarrett Zerby, Gavin Johnston, Jake Leeper, Sean Raucher and Sawyer Anderson.
Dodson, a sophomore catcher and pitcher, hit .430 last season with 18 runs batted in and 11 stolen bases. On the mound, he compiled a 2-4 record and 2.94 earned run average.
“Braden hit lead off for us a year ago,” Swillum said. “He led us in almost every offensive category as a freshman. He has speed, power, and a high baseball IQ. He is our starting catcher throwing with a great arm from behind the plate. He also is in the starting rotation on the mound.”
Zerby, a sophomore outfielder, hit .365 with 8 runs batted in and 8 stolen bases.
“Jarrett is a speedy, defensive outfielder with a good arm and high baseball IQ,” Swillum said. “He was a leader offensively and defensively for us. He is a highly competitive athlete who works hard to improve.”
Johnston, a sophomore infielder and pitcher, hit .300 with 13 runs batted in and 5 stolen bases last season.
“Gavin is a strong-armed shortstop who has worked hard to improve his game,” Swillum said. “Offensively, he was one of our top sticks. He will also be in the starting rotation on the mound.”
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Leeper, a junior outfielder, hit .274 with 10 runs batted in and 9 stolen bases.
“Jake is a hard nosed player with great instincts and baseball IQ,” Swillum said. “This will be his third season starting in left field.”
Raucher, a junior infielder and pitcher, hit .256 with 12 runs batted in and 17 stolen bases in 2022.
“Sean has worked extremely hard to improve every aspect of his game,” Swillum said. “Defensively, he will play up the middle. Offensively, he provides power in the middle of our order. This year he will also contribute on the mound.”
Anderson, a junior utility player and pitcher, hit .188 with 5 runs batted in and 9 stolen bases last season.
“Sawyer has worked hard to improve physically,” Swillum said. “He has gained a lot of strength since his sophomore year. Defensively, he is a great player. He will be called upon to play multiple positions this season. Offensively, his power has improved with his strength. He will also be a contributor on the mound.”
Additional returnees for the ‘Neers include sophomore infielder/pitcher Payton Jones, senior outfielder Caleb Rinker, sophomore infielder/pitcher Braden Jameson, sophomore infielder/pitcher Danny Fields and sophomore outfielder/pitcher Grayson Gann.
“This year’s team got a lot of varsity experience last year as freshmen and sophomores,” Swillum said. “That experience should translate into more confidence at the plate as well as defensively. We return our entire pitching staff from last season (minus Tristan Jones), and our velocities and control have improved. I expect us to be a highly-competitive team and continue to improve throughout the season.”
Following a March 11 home jamboree with Marionville and Pierce City, Mt. Vernon opens its season March 18 in the Cassville Classic Tournament.
