By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Nixa Eagles check a lot of boxes heading into the 2025 season.
Loaded with pitching, hitting and speed, the Eagles are poised to be one of the top teams this year – locally and state-wide.
“Our two biggest strengths are pitching and team speed,” said Nixa coach Logan Hughes. “We have nine to 10 pitchers returning who threw varsity innings last year.”
Nixa, one year removed from making the Class 6 final four, finished 23-15 overall last season. The Eagles have won at least 18 games each season dating back to 2018.
Nixa is equipped to continue its winning standards this year.
The Eagles return five full-time starters, all of whom earned all-conference honors last season.
Jackson Gamble (P/1B) and Colin Kelley (P) lead the way for Nixa’s experienced pitching staff. Both have signed to play at Division II programs – Gamble with Missouri Southern State University and Kelley with Maryville.
Gamble enters his fourth season in the varsity rotation. Last year, he went 5-1 with a 1.06 ERA, 48 strikeouts and 14 walks.
“He has been a huge piece of the puzzle for our pitching rotation,” Hughes said. “He will be a big part of our offense this year as well.”
Kelley posted excellent numbers on the mound, too. He was 6-1 with a .866 ERA, 64 strikeouts and 14 walks. He was honorable mention all-state in Class 6.
“Colin has had a great career so far at Nixa, and we expect big things from him this season,” Hughes said. “He has command of three pitches that are very good pitches, and he keeps hitters off-balance very well.”
Wyatt Vincent might be the area’s top returning player in any position. The speedy Vincent has elite range in center field and gaudy production at the plate.
Vincent, a Missouri State signee, hit .333 last season (1.156 OPS) with seven homers, 40 RBIs and 25 steals. He was second team all-state.
“Wyatt is a very mature baseball player who impacts the game offensively and defensively,” Hughes said. “He hits for power and average. He’s also a very good base stealer. He gets some of the best jumps in center I’ve ever seen.”
Barring injury, Vincent will likely set multiple career state records this spring. He’s close to the top in triples, steals and extra-base hits.
Nixa boasts another Division I prospect in senior Caeden Cloud (Kentucky). Cloud is a three-year starter at shortstop. Last season, he hit .292 with 15 extra-base hits, 35 RBIs and 12 steals.
“He has grown a ton in the last couple of years. It’s going to be very fun to watch him compete this season,” Hughes said.
Sophomore outfielder Adam McKnight proved to be an immediate star last season, matching his football and basketball prowess. On the diamond, McKnight hit .362 (1.110 OPS) with 15 extra-base hits (four homers), 22 RBIs and six steals.
“Adam is an extremely tough-minded, hard-nosed baseball player,” Hughes said. “He has all the intangibles and is continuing to mature as a hitter. The next big step for his all-around game will be developing into an elite base stealer.”
Nixa graduated five seniors from its 2024 varsity squad, including all-conference selections Nate Uber (P) and Rylan Michel (OF). Also gone are Broden Mabe (INF), Gehrig Eoff (C) and Jack Edwards (C).
Michel (Crowder Community College), Edwards (Drury), Mabe (College of the Ozarks) and Eoff (Missouri S&T) are continuing their baseball careers in college.
Senior Tanner Midyett (P), junior Tyler Yonkers (C) and sophomores Rowan Johnson (C) and Cameron Miller (INF/P) are battling for some of Nixa’s vacated roles.
Midyett is an Evangel signee and lefthander who gained velocity over the offseason.
“He really knows how to pitch,” Hughes said. “I could see Tanner working his way into a starting role or pitching often out of the bullpen.”
Yonkers is one of the team’s hardest workers and could see time in a platoon role at catcher.
“He plays the game extremely hard every time he steps on the field,” Hughes said. “Tyler receives well, is very polished as a blocker, and has quick hands to throw runners out. He can also impact the game offensively in many different ways, which makes him a big key to our team this year.”
Johnson is battling for innings at catcher as well. Nixa graduated its top two catchers from last season’s team.
“Rowan is strong, athletic and has a big-time arm,” Hughes said. “We are excited to watch him continue to grow each game.”
Miller threw varsity innings as a freshman. He’s also a capable hitter and could see regular varsity at-bats this season.
“He’s a very good, two-way player who can play the left side of the infield and hit for power,” Hughes said. “It will be exciting to see the strides he makes his sophomore year.”
Nixa will play in a jamboree at Logan-Rogersville on March 17. The Eagles open the season versus Skiatook (Okla.) on March 21, then compete in the Branson Festival March 21-22.
