By Chris Parker
Kickapoo baseball returns three starters and nine lettermen from last season’s team that finished 16-21 overall against a tough schedule.
The schedule remains tough this season with games and tournaments at regional powers from surrounding states along with moving from the Ozark Conference to the Central Ozark Conference.
“We are excited to be part of the COC,” Kickapoo head coach Jason Howser said. “The COC has great baseball tradition, and we are looking forward to the opportunity. We traditionally have played most all COC school because the competition is so good It will be great to continue to play great baseball school in the COC but now as a member.”
Howser, who enters his 21st year at Kickapoo with 381 career wins, will be able to turn to one of the best arms in the conference as his top pitcher in senior Colin Muldoon.
Muldoon was named unanimous first-team all-conference as a junior.
“His (Muldoon’s) greatest attribute is his desire to compete,” Howser said. “Colin is a left-handed pitcher and none of his pitches are straight. He has pitches with movement to both sides of the plate. He is a plus defender on the mound and holds/picks well with runners on. His ‘attack’ mentality will help him pitch late into each game he starts for us. His added maturity will help with the leadership role he will have as a senior.”
Muldoon is no stranger to pitching the big games as he has been atop the Kickapoo rotation since his sophomore season.
“Colin became our No. 1 as a sophomore, so he is accustomed to the expectation,” Howser said. “Much of the confidence our team has when Colin is on the hill has to do with his competitiveness. Colin loves to compete. When pitchers attack the zone and are great competitors it bleeds over to the rest of the team.”
Fellow seniors Joey Cloninger, Canon Hutchins, Aiden Wallace and Adam Kral will also see innings on the mound. Cloninger and Hutchins are strike-throwers with multiple pitches. Wallace is a left-hander who is a great competitor according to Howser. Kral brings a different look as a side-arm submarine pitcher.
The junior group of pitchers features Jaymin Meador, Brody Wilson, Dylan Smith, Brooks Eaton and Jaxon Hill. Meador has an attack mentality with three plus pitches. Wilson mixes pitches well and pounds the strike zone. Smith will be used in a variety of ways this spring. Eaton has a strong arm and Howser said he could develop as a closer or an opener. Hill has a strong repertoire of off-speed pitches and is a situational reliever.
Sophomores Camden Lassley, Conner Smith and Jackson Pippin will also look for varsity innings. Lassley has great stuff for his young age according to Howser. Smith pitched as a freshman and has multiple pitches. Pippin brings great downhill action.
Eaton will be in charge of catching the pitching staff as a returning starter at catcher. Carden Underwood will also catch this spring with Cam McCoy and Jarden Wong competing for the third catcher spot.
There will be competition all over the field for playing time with six of nine starters graduating.
“Each player has worked very hard to improve their individual game and in turn help the team improve this spring,” Howser said. “The season will tell us how much we have improved.”
Wilson (junior first base), Meador (junior first base), Hutchins (senior middle infield/third base), Kral (senior middle infield), Hill (junior middle infield), Conner Smith (sophomore middle infield) and Dylan Smith (junior third base) are all in the mix for playing time on the infield.
In the outfield, Joey Cloninger has moved out this spring to compete for time. Muldoon will play a role in the outfield when not pitching. Juniors Nick LiPari and Luke Scott are competing for a starting spot. Jacob Wilkinson is a junior who could earn time in a defensive role. Sophomore Nick Long will also have an opportunity in the outfield.
Kickapoo will lean on pitching and defense with a diverse offense while looking to be mentally tough through the rigorous schedule.
“The strength of this spring’s team will be our pitching and defense. Our offense will be diverse in ways to score runs through the course of the season,” Howser said. “Mental toughness to handle the challenges that our game and challenging schedule will produce. As coaching staff, we will look for the players that can do this consistently. This growth in this aspect of the game will be fun to watch grow.”
Howser will also rely on his coaching staff to help the team grow and navigate the season.
“Kickapoo Baseball has some of the most dedicated and talented assistant coaches in the entire state,” Howser said. “We do not win a game this season without their work. While all are great coaches, they are even better men.”
The assistant coaches for Kickapoo are Jason Sweet, Josh Hall, Chris Thompson, Lance Jarman, Billy Buckley and Chase Tolleson.
The Chiefs open the season on Mar. 21 at home against Springdale (Ark.). Kickapoo won’t face a southwest Missouri team until opening COC play at Willard on Apr. 1.
“Our expectations are the same each season,” Howser said. “We want a team that competes like their hair is on fire. Good in the classroom and on the baseball field. Great teammates and even better people.”
