By Derek Shore (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Monett baseball returned to familiar territory when it claimed its first district title since 2019 last season. The district title was the Cubs’ fifth since 2010.
“Last year we had a group that had several senior leaders mixed in with a lot of youth and inexperience,” coach Michael Calhoun said. “We gelled as the season went along and that is a compliment to the group of hard-working young men that made up that team.”
Monett looks to replicate that success in 2024 with seven lettermen returning. The Cubs will have to replace a pair of all-staters in Marcus Young and Jason Garner along with all-conference performer Josh Wallace.
Fortunately for Monett, junior Aidan Clapper (outfielder) returns following an all-state sophomore campaign. He hit an impressive .402 with 33 hits, 17 RBI and six stolen bases while logging innings on the mound.
“Aidan had a fantastic sophomore season,” Calhoun said. “I look for Aidan to hit in the top part of our lineup, play center field and get several innings on the mound for us again.”
Also back is all-conference designated hitter Alex Huntress (senior), all-district catcher Evan Witt (senior) and all-district infielder Miles Young (sophomore). Huntress batted .351 with one home run and 14 RBI last season while going 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA on the mound, while Witt hit .368 with 25 hits and 17 driven in. Young boasted a .367 average with 29 hits and 13 RBI.
“Alex will be our top returning pitcher and will also be in the infield when not pitching,” Calhoun said. “I look for him to have a big senior season. Evan has been our starting catcher the last two seasons. He has improved both at the plate and behind it each season. I look forward to him being a middle of the order bat and leading us from behind the plate. I look for Miles to play on the left side of the infield and bat towards the top of the lineup, as well as giving us valuable innings on the mound.”
Collin Umfleet, a sophomore left fielder, hit .288 with 21 hits and 17 RBI as a freshman last year. Sophomore pitcher, Carson Burtrum, looks to build off a freshman season that saw him post a 3-5 record with a 3.93 ERA as well. Calhoun likes the upside of both players.
“Collin had an exceptional freshman season, tying us for the team lead in RBI and playing a very good left field,” the coach said. “I look forward to his continued growth as an all-around player. Carson was one of our top pitchers as a freshman last season. I look for him to be a force on the mound over the next three seasons. He has the potential to be a dominant high school pitcher. I am also excited about his potential as an offensive player.”
Junior Landyn Brandt rounds out the Cubs’ returning players. Calhoun looks for Brandt to continue to improve at the plate and in the outfield.
“Landyn is an exceptional athlete,” Calhoun said. “I look for him to continue to grow as a player.”
Top newcomers are junior Michael Privett (infielder/catcher) and sophomores Adam Martinez (outfielder), Antonio Vizcaino (first baseman), Braden Cendroski (infielder/pitcher), Logan Cole (infielder), Parker Doss (infielder), Truman Zinn (infielder), Tucker Anderson (catcher), Tyler Hickerson (outfielder) and Xavier Garcia (outfielder).
“I’m very excited about the upcoming season,” Calhoun said. “We will be very young as we have large and talented freshmen and sophomore classes, but only a few upperclassmen. Several of those freshmen played a large role on our district championship team last season and now they are sophomores. I’m very excited by the energy and work ethic these men have shown through our offseason program. They are giving great effort, being coachable and we are all looking forward to the spring. Our conference and district races are all up in the air since we have several good teams and coaches in our area that will push whomever they compete against.”
Monett is at the Joplin jamboree on March 12 with Carthage. The Cubs play at Reeds Spring on March 16 to open the season.
