By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
2023 was another magical season for Catholic baseball, as the Fightin’ Irish capped a 21-8 season with a second straight Class 4 runner up finish.
“Last year was another banner year and one the most fun seasons I have ever been a part of,” head coach Courtney Spitz said. “I am so proud to have coached this team and especially this group of seniors.”
Catholic’s group of departed seniors include a trio of all-state honorees in Ben Smith (University of Missouri), Coleman Morrison (Jefferson County Community College) and Logan Ripper (St. Charles Community College).
“This 2023 class played for and won a district championship every season and reached the Final Four twice,” Spitz said. “They are a very special group of kids and will impact our program beyond measure.”
A trio of seniors return to lead Catholic this season in Ben Ruter and twin brothers Jack and Cole Schoen.
Ruter, an all-state outfielder and Drury University commit, hit .333 last season with 4 home runs, 19 RBI and 8 stolen bases.
“Ben has been a crucial part to our success the last two seasons,” Spitz said. “Ben will
likely patrol center field for us and see some time on the mound or infield. We are excited for another great year from Ben.”
Jack Schoen, an infielder and pitcher, recorded a 1-1-4 record and 2.66 ERA on the mound in 2023. At the plate, the all-conference and all district selection hit .302 with 11 RBI and 6 stolen bases.
“Jack is one of our most versatile players who can play about anywhere,” Spitz said. “Last season Jack played very well at short and pitched well in high leverage moments such as the last outs of the district championship at Logan-Rogersville. We look for Jack to do more of the same, playing short and pitching when not there. He is a great two sport athlete.”
Cole Schoen, an all-conference and all-district pitcher and outfielder, posted a 6-2-3 record on the mound with a 2.31 ERA. At the plate, he hit .231 with 2 home runs, 17 RBI and 2 stolen bases.
“Cole had a great year for us last season on the mound, in the outfield and playing first base,” Spitz said. “Cole can be one of the top arms in the conference. Just like his brother, Cole has been a great two-sport athlete.”
Sophomores Nic Ruter and Jack Smith also return for the Irish.
Nic Ruter, an all-district outfielder and infielder, hit .198 with 8 RBI and 5 stolen bases last season.
“Nic Ruter was quickly asserted into the starting lineup as a freshman after an injury to an upper classman prior to the 2023 season,” Spitz said. “Nic played very well, especially at the end of the season and the playoffs.”
Smith, a pitcher and infielder, notched a 4-1-1 record on the mound with a 3.19 ERA last season.
“Jack Smith had a great freshman year,” Spitz said. “Jack saw a lot of innings on the mound and is set to see more this spring. We expect Jack to expand his role defensively on the infield and offensively in the lineup. Jack is one of the strongest young arms in southwest Missouri.”
Returning juniors Colin Soetaert and Clayton Stuhlsatz will be looking to compete for increased roles this season.
“Colin saw some time at the varsity level between playing at second base and catcher,” Spitz said. “Colin can impact us behind the plate as well as offensively in the lineup. Clayton saw minimal innings in the outfield and ran the bases for us last year. We look for Clayton to compete for a starting outfield spot and be a potential everyday player this spring.”
Spitz expects a host of varsity newcomers to compete for playing time this season, including Ben Collier, Nate Lask, Hayes Burke, Cole Hunt, Noah Rottinghaus, Rhett Layne and Daniel Hesemann.
“This season will be one of new challenges for us,” Spitz said. “We expect to be moved up to Class 5, and we are looking to replace the bulk of our pitching staff and offensive production. It will be a season of new faces in our program. We have a lot of young talent in our program, and we are looking forward to their development and getting them ready to compete at the highest level.”
On the mound, Spitz will rely on his returning staff of arms, as well as the development from new up and coming talents to keep Catholic competitive on a nightly basis.
“Our pitching staff will still be a strength of ours,” Spitz said. “Returning Cole Schoen, Jack Schoen and Jack Smith will solidify the starting rotation. We are excited about some young arms like Cole Hunt, Hayes Burke and more. We have depth but not a ton of varsity level experience past our starting rotation. We will look to get lots of different looks early and get some confidence.”
At the plate, Catholic will look to its senior trio to set the tone for leadership and run production.
“Our lineup will return three key pieces from last season,” Spitz said. “Outside of those three, we have some new faces, and we will be a different team than we have been in the past. We need to focus on the little things and win the battles of each at bat or inning. Being able to bunt, run and put some pressure on opposing teams will be something we try to excel at.”
While the Irish lineup might lack actual game experience, Spitz believes just being around last season’s deep postseason run will pay dividends on his team’s developmental cycle.
“Some of our biggest strength is our experience being in post season runs and having the knowledge of what it takes to win at those levels,” Spitz said. “Our kids may have not played in the games through the last two years, but we always dress every player and so those kids have heard from me, been in the dugout, and experienced the emotional rollercoasters of post season baseball.”
Following a March 11 jamboree, Catholic opens its regular season March 16 at Lee’s Summit with two games against the host team and Odessa.
