By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Marshfield baseball enjoyed a magical run in 2025.
The 25-13 Blue Jays finished fourth in Class 5 in the program’s second final four appearance.
For head coach William Pate, the experience and post-season success has left a mark on his team heading into the 2026 campaign.
“It was a great run and really raised the expectations for the program,” Pate said. “It’s been six years since our last district championship, and our kids are hungry for more now.”
A quartet of all-state honorees return to lead Marshfield this season in Hunter Fryman, Carter James, Braden Jensen and Jayce Baedke.
Fryman, a senior infielder and pitcher, hit .336 last season with 2 home runs. On the mound, he compiled a 4-0 record with a 1.765 ERA.
“Hunter is one of our top arms and will pitch a lot of our big games,” Pate said. “He will play shortstop when not pitching and will be a leader on the defense. His bat and speed in the lineup will be a big part of our offense.”
James, a senior catcher and outfielder, hit .342 as a junior with 23 RBI.
“Carter will start behind the plate for us again and could see some time in the outfield,” Pate said. “He has always been good in tough spots offensively so we will rely on him to be a tough out and drive in runs.”
Jensen, a junior first baseman and pitcher, hit .342 last season with 47 RBI.
“Braden had a really good sophomore year,” Pate said. “We look for him to build on that and to have more of a role in the pitching staff this season.”
Baedke, a junior outfielder and pitcher, hit .333 last season with 24 RBI. On the mound, he compiled a 5-2 record with a 2.581 ERA.
“Jayce will be another top arm for us this season,” Pate said. “His sophomore year he really stepped up both on the mound and offensively. We will rely on that experience from him this year and he will be a big part of our team this season.”
Marshfield will benefit from a fifth all-state player returning to the roster, as senior infielder and pitcher Carson Adams returns after missing the majority of the 2025 season.
“Carson was injured for most of last season so didn’t receive any post-season recognition,” Pate said. “He has been a two-time all-state player, though, and hit .312 through eight games. Carson will start at third for us again this year. He will also be a key piece to the pitching rotation. He is one of our most consistent hitters and will be a key piece to the offense.”
Senior pitcher and infielder Keegan Reynolds, junior outfielder and pitcher Case Steinbach, junior utility and pitcher Easton Curley, junior pitcher Caleb Kasper, junior utility and pitcher Trenton Rosenthal and sophomore utility and pitcher Brock Jensen also return for the Blue Jays.
Pate on Reynolds: “Last season Keegan was really good out of the pen. His experience will be utilized in that role, and he will look to push for time in the field and lineup offensively.”
Pate on Steinbach: “Case will slide over to center field this season. Very athletic kid who could be one of the best defensive outfielders in the area. He will provide versatility at the plate and will look to improve on his sophomore year.”
Pate on Curley: “Easton will take on a bigger role out of the pen this season. He’s a super versatile kid in the field and can play just about anywhere.”
Pate on Kasper: “Caleb will continue to be a big part of our pitching staff. His velocity has went up and he’s really worked on his off-speed pitches.”
Pate on Rosenthal: “Trenton is a utility guy and can play multiple positions. He will push for more time this year and can be a big part of our lineup.”
Pate on Brock Jensen: “Brock saw limited time on the mound as a freshman but could see a lot more this spring.”
Heading into his eighth season at the Marshfield helm, Pate also expects a trio of varsity newcomers to compete for innings this season in junior infielder Chandler Barb, junior infielder Coby Rost and junior catcher Boston Pollard.
“We are very excited for this season and have high expectations for this group,” Pate said. “We have a lot of experience returning in the lineup and will be a veteran group this season. Our biggest strength right now is our pitching. Compared to a season ago, we were pretty young and inexperienced at that spot, so we feel pretty good where we are right now with our pitching staff.”
On the mound, the Blue Jays will look to Fryman and Baedke to anchor a deep and talented staff of arms.
“This will be the deepest our pitching staff will have ever been in my time here,” Pate said. “We return 95 percent of our innings pitched from a season ago. Our guys understand what it takes to win big games, especially in the post season. We will use that experience this season to help us take it to another level. To win day in and day out we will have to pitch it at a very high level.”
At the plate, Marshfield will field a versatile lineup with the ability to put pressure on opposing pitchers, and several players could reach the 100-hit career milestone this season.
“We feel this lineup could be very balanced this year with the ability to shorten and lengthen the field,” Pate said. “We have a lot of guys who can do both and have some speed so they can be dangerous on the bases and have the guys who can drive them in.”
Following a March 13 home jamboree, Marshfield opens its season March 19 at Willard.
