By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For any other baseball program, a 28-win season would be considered a huge success; however, things are judged on a different level at Willard lately.
Following three-straight trips to the state final four, the Tigers fell in the district title game to Glendale last season.
“We had a solid season,” head coach Scott McGee said. “We were ranked in the top five all season in Missouri and finished the season 28-10. We also sent six kids on to play college baseball. Unfortunately, we fell in the district title game to Glendale. It was our 12th consecutive appearance in the district title game.”
Chris Massey (University of Central Missouri), Owen Bushnell (Missouri Southern University), Cooper Wilken (Evangel University), Kyden McMain (State Fair Community College), Kyle Beeman (College of the Ozarks) and Klayton Kiser (Drury University) have all moved on to play at the next level.
Wilken and Kiser received all-state honors, as well.
“The senior class of 2023 worked extremely hard in the weight room and on their game,” McGee said. “Several were three-year starters and won a state title, and their accolades are extremely impressive.”
While it’s never easy to replace exceptional graduates, Willard is fortunate to have a deep pipeline of talented replacements.
The Tigers will, once again, reload in 2024 behind a trio of all-conference selections in Landon Moore, Drew Quinlan and Kayden Larson.
Moore, a senior third baseman and North Arkansas College signee, hit .305 last season with 1 home run, 21 RBI and 17 stolen bases.
“Landon Moore has started every year of high school and is an outstanding defender,” McGee said. “He is intelligent and plays our style of game to perfection. He is a left-handed hitter and one of the best leadoff guys in the area.”
Quinlan, a senior infielder, hit .358 last season with 1 home run, 34 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
“Drew Quinlan will be a three-year starter,” McGee said. “Drew is a very good hitter, intelligent and led our 2023 team in RBI.”
Larson, a junior pitcher, posted a 5-1-1 record on the mound last season with a 1.70 ERA and 30 strikeouts.
“Hayden Larson was all conference as a junior and has signed with Fort Scott,” McGee said. “He was second in wins, innings and ERA for us last year.”
Matthew Angel, Cameron Jennings, Kaelin Adams and Russell Roweton also return for the Tigers.
Angel, a junior shortstop, hit .316 last season with 2 home runs, 8 RBI and 3 stolen bases.
“Matthew Angel started last year as a left-handed hitter with a lot of potential,” McGee said. “He hit a huge home run in district semi-finals and then had a great summer. He is one of the best juniors in the area.”
Jennings, a senior outfielder and pitcher, hit .361 last season with 21 RBI and 6 stolen bases. On the mound, he compiled a 3-2-1 record with a 1.98 ERA and 20 strikeouts.
“Cameron Jennings had a solid season in the outfield and a great season on the mound,” McGee said. “He has signed with College of the Ozarks.”
Adams, a senior pitcher, posted a 6-0 record with a 1.93 ERA and 31 strikeouts.
Roweton, a senior pitcher, recorded a 1-1 record last season with a 4.62 ERA and 20 strikeouts.
“Russell Roweton has signed with Evangel,” McGee said. “He’s a three-sport athlete and will play two sports in college.”
McGee also expects a trio of varsity newcomers to compete for playing time this season in senior Peyton Gayer, junior Rowden Lejeune and sophomore Levi Hilton.
“Expectations are always high here,” McGee said. “While we may take a step back offensively, our pitching and defense should be outstanding. This will be the style of teams we had from 2012-2017 – less power, but more skill and pitching.”
On the mound, Willard returns a deep pitching staff who combined for an 18-5 record in 2023.
“This is the best pitching depth we have had,” McGee said. “Larson, Jennings and Adams threw a bunch for us last year, and all return. Roweton has outstanding stuff and Hilton is possibly the best sophomore arm in the area. Then we still also have Spering (upper 80s righty with a good breaking ball), Will Merryman (senior LHP that throws strikes) and a couple of juniors that can pitch (Towe/Anderson).”
At the plate, Willard will feature a lineup full of clutch hitters capable of keeping the ball in play and moving runners.
“We really like our bat-to-ball ability,” McGee said. “We will be able to put the ball in play and execute offense well. We need to find a way to get some power production out of the bottom half of the lineup, but I think we will surprise people on offense this year.”
Following a March 9 jamboree at Kickapoo, Willard opens its season March 16 at Columbia Hickman.
