By Chris Parker
Monett baseball will look to climb back above .500 in 2023 with a trio of all-conference seniors returning to lead the team in 2023.
Marcus Young will be one of the top pitchers in the conference coming off a first-team all-conference selection as a junior.
“He’s (Young) a lefty that does a great job getting underneath the hands of right-handed hitters,” Monett head coach Michael Calhoun said. “Like anyone, when you have a young man on the mound with Marcus’s ability it gives the team more confidence that it will be a successful day.”
Young pitched to a 2.86 ERA as a junior. He will play first base when not pitching.
Jason Garner earned second-team all-conference honors on the infield as a junior. At the plate, he hit .361 with 15 stolen bases last year. He will play shortstop and pitch.
“His (Garner’s) best asset is his tenacity and work ethic. He is always trying to improve his all-around game,” Calhoun said.
Josh Wallace rounds out the returning all-conference players. He was a second-team selection in the outfield but could find time all over the field this year. Offensively, he hit .394 with 17 RBI in 2022.
“Josh could be in the outfield, infield, some pitching, or even a designated hitter. He was our best all-around offensive player last season. His bat will be a fixture in the middle of our lineup,” Calhoun said.
Young, Garner, Wallace, Alex Huntress (junior) and Aidan Clapper (sophomore) will be the team’s top pitchers.
“These are all our returners that had innings last season,” Calhoun said. “They are all going to see their innings increase this season. I look forward to them leading and helping a good group of freshmen improve throughout the season.”
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Evan Witt returns to his catcher position as a junior.
“He (Witt) is a very athletic young man that has continued to improve all aspects as a catcher as well as a hitter,” Calhoun said.
Kaden Palmer will compete for time in the outfield as a senior.
Junior Justin Craig along with sophomores Walker Bradow, Aiden McCall and Michael Pruitt will also compete for varsity time.
Monett opens the season on Mar. 18 at Reeds Spring.
“We will be a tight group with strong leadership. Most of our players have played for a couple of seasons and have been through the grind of a varsity season. That experience will be invaluable,” Calhoun said. “We just need to continue to be more consistent in all aspects. Even though we have experience we can always grow both individually and as a unit. “
