By Chris Parker
Cassville baseball has a new head coach in Shawn Trent taking over in 2022. He inherits a program coming off back-to-back 10-win campaigns.
“When I was asked about coaching baseball for this spring it kind of caught me off guard it wasn’t really on my radar,” Trent said. “I had been coaching softball for so long I didn’t think I would go back to baseball. I didn’t think too long on it. The biggest thing for me is I have three sons who all play baseball at the youth level. I felt like being a part of baseball again would allow me to focus on helping them, and maybe one day have the opportunity to coach them at the high school level. I think that is my biggest motivation as the head coach is that because I have my own kids involved in our program I will work hard at creating the best environment for all our players. I have played all my life and it’s been a great game for me. I want every player to have the same great experience.”
The Wildcats return four starters and four lettermen.
Isaac Hadlow is a senior third baseman and pitcher who will be the captain. Keaton Shellenberger returns for his senior season and will play first base and pitch. Sophomores Evan Buter (shortstop/pitcher) and Bodee Rose (centerfield/pitcher) also return.
The Cassville pitching staff should be deep.
“We have a lot of arms,” Trent said. “Looking ahead, we think Evan Butler and Isaac Hadlow could see the majority of the innings. Ethan Bohmke (junior) will get starts. Spring baseball there are many games throughout the week so we will rely on all our kids to share time. Evan and Isaac have good command and the most experience in big games. Ethan is still developing, but we were impressed with him this summer on the mound. I feel like as long as he is finding the zone that we have the best guys behind him on defense.”
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Sophomore Simon Gates will be behind the plate at catcher.
“Simon Gates did a wonderful job this summer behind the plate,” Trent said. “He is talented, hardworking, and he puts it all on himself. He does a great job with our pitchers.”
Shellenburger, Garrett Ewing (junior), Mason Gautney (senior), Cadyn Smith (junior), Hadlow and Cadyn Smith (junior) will all compete for time on the infield.
Rose along with Hunter James (junior) look to find time in the outfield.
This year’s version of Cassville baseball brings athleticism to the diamond.
“I think our biggest strength is our athleticism,” Trent said. “We have a lot of very athletic kids on the team this year. We have a lot of speed. I have had a lot of kids and parents express their excitement about this spring. So, I think we will have guys really working hard, and competing every day for playing time. I think that competition is going to make us better when we get into games.”
Cassville opens the season Mar. 17 at McAuley Catholic.
“When teams come to play us, I want them to recognize our hustle and tenacity. I want them to see how hard we work to compete in every at bat and every pitch. Never letting up for a second, and be relentless, no matter the score,” Trent said. “My only expectation is that we compete every day. I think if we prepare ourselves in practice, and we are relentless in games, we will have a good year.”
