By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
2022 proved to be successful for Mountain Grove’s baseball program.
The Panthers finished with a 21-6 record, falling to Ava in the district tournament.
“We had an extremely good season,” said head coach Mark Vaughan. “Anytime you can win 20 plus games, it is a good season. District was probably one of the toughest Class 4 districts in the state. District had four or five teams (state) ranked at one point during the season. Look for it to be like that again this year.”
Vaughan, the South-Central Association Coach of the Year last season, will look to replace a talented class of graduates.
“All these kids will be hard to replace,” Vaughan said. “I had the honor to coach them since they were coach-pitch kids. It was a joy and pleasure to see them grow up around the game! I have no doubt they will be successful in the next step of life.”
Fortunately for the Panthers, an all-state selection returns to lead the charge this season in senior infielder Drew Vaughan.
Vaughan, a State Fair Community College commit, hit .425 last season with 1 home run, 18 runs batted in and 20 stolen bases last season.
“Drew has a very good bat and plus speed on the bases – very athletic kid,” Vaughan said. “I expect him to hit for more power this year. Will play up the middle defensively again. One of the better players in the area. Drew has been my best hitter the past two years.”
Additional returning starters include classmate Hunter Means and juniors Hoyt Mathews, Gatlin Keeling, Carson Allen and Gabe Linton.
Means, an all-conference outfielder, finished with a .273 average, 2 home runs, 23 runs batted in and 10 stolen bases. On the mound, he compiled a 4-1 record with a 3.00 earned run average.
“Hunter started in right field when he wasn’t on the mound last year,” Vaughan said. “He is a left-handed pitcher that keeps getting better. Hunter has really good power at the plate, and he has steadily gotten more consistent at the plate.”
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Mathews, an all-conference selection, hit .354 last season with 3 home runs and 28 runs batted in.
“Hoyt has a solid bat that can hit for average and power,” Vaughan said. “Was third on the team in RBIs. I also look for him to log a lot of varsity innings on the mound this year.”
Keeling, an all-conference and all-district infielder, hit .337 last season with 1 home run, 33 runs batted in and 6 stolen bases.
“Gatlin was an everyday starter at third,” Vaughan said. “Had a really good year at the plate. He is a really tough out.”
Allen, an infielder, hit. .273 with 1 home run, 16 runs batted in and 2 stolen bases last season.
“Carson was an everyday varsity starter last year,” Vaughan said. “I look for him to move into the top of my pitching rotation. He has gotten bigger and stronger and added to his velocity.”
Linton, an outfielder, finished the season with a .172 average, 4 runs batted in and 3 stolen bases.
Mountain Grove also returns senior Dominic Palagi and junior Kaden Richardson to its lineup.
Varsity newcomers expected to compete for playing time include sophomore Brayden Haughy , sophomore Aaron Durny, sophomore Preston Williams, senior Brock Byerly, sophomore Destin Unger and junior Brylon Mayberry.
“I think we could be very competitive this spring,” Vaughan said. “We have some quality kids returning with numerous years of varsity experience. Six of my starting nine hitters will be back.”
On the mound, younger Panthers will step into prominent roles on the pitching staff.
“We have a few arms on JV that will be asked to fill roles vacated by seniors. If they can do this. We will put ourselves in a good position to win a lot of ball games.”
Mountain Grove opens its season March 18 in the Van Buren Tournament
