By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Year One was outstanding.
In Year Two, the Lebanon Yellowjackets are chasing bigger goals.
Coming off one of the best seasons in school history, Lebanon hopes to take the next step under second-year head coach Alex Weathermon.
“A successful season for us would be to continue building up the Lebanon baseball program,” Weathermon said. “We would love to win a conference championship, a district championship and make it to the final four.
“None of our kids have had the privilege of playing in any baseball games of such magnitude, so we’ll be preparing them for that level of competition every day in practice.”
The Yellowjackets welcome back a deep roster overall, highlighted by several all-conference players.
“Our biggest strength is our offense,” Weathermon said. “The kind of players we have at Lebanon play perfectly into how I love to coach the game. We will look to cause a lot of chaos on offense and try to spin our opponents out of control.”
Senior catcher Gavin Smith, the starting quarterback for Lebanon’s football team, hit .390 (10 doubles) and recorded 36 steals last season.
“Gavin will be a senior leader for our squad. He’s one of the most talented athletes in our state and will look to build off another great season,” Weathermon said.
Senior Hoyt Honey (P/OF), another all-conference selection and football player, may be the team’s most improved player over the last few years.
Honey posted a 2.92 ERA over 17 innings last season. At the plate, he hit .303 (seven doubles) with 29 RBIs.
“He’s improved his game in all areas,” Weathermon said. “He will be another leader of a senior class trying to win conference and district titles.”
Senior Josh Zeigenbein (P/1B) is another key two-way player for the Yellowjackets.
Zeigenbein earned all-conference honorable mention last season – he hit .310 with six doubles and two homers. On the mound, he had a 2.92 ERA over 24 innings.
“Josh provides us with quality leadership while hitting in the heart of our order,” Weathermon said.
Senior Cole Dustin (17 IP, 6.18 ERA) will compete for a regular starting role.
“Cole’s stats are deceiving. He threw great last year and just had one bad appearance,” Weathermon said. “He is one of our most improved players and will look to become an everyday starter.”
Lebanon returns a trio of juniors who earned all-conference honors a year ago.
Shortstop Chance Cromer hit .341 (nine extra-base hits) with 20 RBIs.
“Chance is one of the most talented juniors in our area,” Weathermon said. “He had a breakout season as a sophomore and was our everyday starting shortstop. He has become more comfortable at the position and will continue to hit at the top of the order.”
Outfielder Braiden Lamontagne is one of the top athletes on the team. He hit just under .300 last season with eight extra-base hits, 25 RBIs and 27 steals.
The Yellowjackets are eager to see what a more muscular Lamontagne can do.
“Braiden is an ultra-athlete who will go down with several other players on this team as the best I have had the chance to coach,” Weathermon said. “He is receiving serious college interest and has upped his power game. He should be one of the most fun players to watch in our area this year.”
Second baseman Tony Myres worked his way into Lebanon’s starting lineup midway through the season. Myres, who hit .300 at the plate, is also one of the team’s best defensive players.
“He’s developed his bat a ton from last year,” Weathermon said. “We are looking forward to seeing what kind of production he will give us this spring.”
Lebanon had a record-setting campaign in 2023. The Yellowjackets finished 24-9 overall and tied for second in the Ozark Conference; the 24 wins were a program record.
Lebanon fell short of its first district title since 2014, losing to a 30-win Vianney squad in the district semifinals.
Five seniors graduated, including all-state pitcher and Ozark Conference Pitcher of the Year Payton Wehner. Also gone are Parker Wehner (OF, all-conference), Ashton Coryell (OF, all-conference), Austin Hendrix and Keaton Mizer.
Weathermon expects Lebanon’s depth to be a big factor in 2024.
“This is the best lineup depth I have ever had with around 15 kids all fighting for a spot in the varsity lineup,” Weathermon said.
Blake Deckard (P), Gunnar Gress (P), Austin Garrison (P) and Griffin Jones (OF) round out a deep senior class.
Deckard (Missouri State-West Plains commit), Gress (Mission University commit) and Garrison figure to see regular playing time as starting pitchers or relievers. Deckard missed last season with an elbow injury.
“Blake will be looked upon to lead our pitching staff this year and provide a consistent, dominant presence on the mound. He has a big power arm,” Weathermon said. “Gunnar worked extremely hard in the weight room since last summer to transform his ability on the baseball field. Austin throws sidearm and has made himself a threat with how well he can move the baseball.”
Weathermon described Jones as a “really fast, athletic kid” who will compete for playing time in a corner outfield spot.
Lebanon’s junior class may be its deepest, with up to 10 players competing for varsity roles.
Isaac Hillhouse (DH) gives the Yellowjackets a power bat and will also contend for innings as a pitcher.
Bronsen Rhoades (OF) is a plus-athlete who will transition to an outfield role. Javen Wells (OF) is “one of the best defensive players on the team” according to Weathermon and will also contend for time in the outfield.
Eli Graham had a strong offseason and is battling for a starting role at third base.
Aaron Graham, Chris Kilburn and Ethan Phillips could see varsity innings as relief pitchers.
“Aaron creates great movement on the ball and has developed plenty of velocity to go along with his ability on the mound,” Weathermon said. “Chris has worked hard to become a power arm for us. Ethan also has the potential to throw some varsity relief innings.”
Fellow juniors Nolan Milliken, Jacob Cranmer and Avery Starnes will look to carve out roles as varsity backups.
“Nolan could be a pinch-hitter for us,” Weathermon said. “He has a really powerful bat that generates high-90s exit velocity.”
Keep an eye on Lebanon’s sophomore class, which is already showing positive signs.
Cole Milliken is Lebanon’s other potential starter at third base. If he doesn’t land there, he could find playing time in a utility role.
“Cole has one of the best contact bats in the entire area,” Weathermon said. “He has worked hard in the weight room to add some power to his game.”
Harrison Cranmer will be Lebanon’s backup catcher and has a “big, strong frame.” He could also pitch in a relief role.
Evan Ogle is expected to be Lebanon’s main courtesy runner this season.
“And he has looked tremendous in the outfield,” Weathermon said. “I’m excited to see his potential. He could even be a spot-starter.”
Kale Deckard is another intriguing athletic option for the Yellowjackets.
“The sky’s the limit for Kale,” Weathermon said. “We look to get him some varsity relief innings and build his confidence.”
Landon Fernandez is the second-best hitter among Lebanon’s sophomores, Weathermon said.
“He will receive opportunities to pinch-hit at the varsity level and will be looked upon to put up some power numbers,” Weathermon said.
Brody Shoemaker, Tayt Carr and Quentin Hendrix will compete for innings as relief pitchers.
Lebanon will lean out its athleticism and team defense as new pitchers get acclimated to more prominent roles.
“Our goal is to get one out every single chance we get. Our pitchers will look to throw strikes and I like how athletic and strong our defense currently looks,” Weathermon said. “We were a .951% fielding team last year and I’m excited to see that continue to grow.”
The Yellowjackets begin the regular season March 15 at home versus Lighthouse Christian Academy.
“We return a ton of experience but also have new players in very important positions,” Weathermon said. “Getting into this lineup will be competitive. Being able to produce in ways that give us the best chance to win will be the difference-maker.”
