By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Webb City baseball team’s 2025 season ended in a way few teams forget.
Webb City’s final game came in Game 3 of the state quarterfinal series with Platte County, which shifted to a best-of-three format after years of being one-and-done.
Though the Cardinals won Game 1 of that series – which would have been enough to put them through to the semifinals in prior seasons – they suffered one-run losses in Games 2 and 3. That included an extra-inning, walk-off defeat in the decisive game.
Platte County went on to win the state title, while the Cardinals finished 20-16 — and were left to wonder what might have been.
For Webb City’s five returning starters, this season is about writing a different ending.
“I am most excited to see these guys get back on the field after the way our season ended and I am excited to see the new guys step up and make their stamp on our program,” coach Andrew Doennig said. “I feel like we have a lot of guys who could be playing at any time – and so it will be fun to see who steps up.”
If history is any indicator, the Cardinals won’t have any problem with developing new contributors.
They’ve won eight district championships since 2015 — including four in a row — a testament to the program’s ability to reload year after year.
“The success our program has had over the last 10 seasons speaks volumes to the type of kids that we have in Webb City,” Doennig said. “Our baseball kids are hardworking, mentally tough and care more about team success than individual success. Each team is unique in their own way, but the one constant that remains the same is the attitude and effort our kids show up with each day and their refusal to quit.”
The Cardinals will count on their returning players to set the tone this season, and few embody that spirit better than senior pitcher Tate Lewis.
Though not originally expected to be one of the team’s key throwers last season, no one threw more innings than Lewis. He earned all-conference and all-district honors after going 4-3 with a 2.49 earned-run average.
“He was super reliable and pitched in a lot of high-leverage situations in the playoffs,” Doennig said. “He will be one of our top two arms this year. He can command three pitches for strikes – and when he does, he is going to be really tough to beat.”
Webb City’s other top arm is all-district honoree Mason Young, who went 5-3 with a 3.04 earned-run average. The junior plays third base when he’s not on the mound, and he’s also a standout player on Webb City’s football and basketball teams.
“He is a true three-sport athlete,” Doennig said. “I think he is going to make a big jump this year as a baseball player and establish himself as a really good player in southwest Missouri.”
The pitchers will once again throw to senior Mason Williams, who is back for his third season as a starter. The 2024 all-state selection was limited to just 14 games last season, but he hit .360 and stole eight bases in that time.
“Mason is one of the best defensive catchers in the state of Missouri,” Doennig said. “His defensive abilities allow us to call games a little bit different. Mason is a really good athlete as well. He runs very well and is probably the fastest kid on the team. He will hit in the top of the order this year and lead our team.”
Senior Braden Strickland is another defensive leader, who will be entering his first full season as the starting shortstop.
“He moved from third base to shortstop part way through the year and ended up winning our team defensive MVP award,” Doennig said. “Braden is a really good leader through his work ethic and enthusiasm. He has improved his offensive game and should provide us with some extra help to turn the lineup over.”
Classmate Karsen Myers led returning Cardinals with 16 stolen bases last season, and his speed makes him a weapon at the top of the lineup and in the field.
“Karsen improved tremendously over the course of the year in the outfield and played really well towards the end of the year,” Doennig said. “Offensively, he does a really good job of just finding a way to get on base.”
Bryer Robinson, Brennan Burgess, Trevor Lofland, Dawson McMullen and Chayse Denton round out Webb City’s nine-player senior class.
Doennig on Robinson, a first baseman: “Bryer switched from the outfield last year and really grew as a defensive first baseman. He had a small taste of varsity at bats this year, but we are going to rely on him to make an impact with his bat this spring.”
Doennig on Burgess, a pitcher: “Brennan has improved his mechanics and command this year. We are hoping that he can provide us some good quality varsity innings.”
Doennig on Lofland, an infielder: “Trevor has some pop in his bat. Trevor can defend a few different spots for us, which allows us to be able to move people around depending on who is pitching.”
Doennig on McMullen, an outfielder: “Dawson can run well and does a great job of putting the ball in play. He is someone we trust in the outfield.”
Doennig on Denton, a pitcher: “Chayse pitched in a lot of late-inning and high-leverage situations for us. He is really starting to get a feel for his breaking ball, which will compliment his change up.”
Though each brings unique talents, this year’s seniors – like those before them – are all about carrying the torch..
“Our seniors want this team to be remembered as a team that continued the tradition of Webb City baseball,” Doennig said. “They want to be remembered as a team who set aside their own personal agendas and won as a team. They understand that it isn’t the best individual that will win, it is the best team.”
That mentality is present among Webb City’s underclassmen, too. Junior pitcher Colton Rickman and sophomore catcher Lake Johnson are among those who could make a big impact this spring.
“Colton might have made the biggest jump of any pitcher over the summer and winter,” Doennig said. “He really worked at refining his arm stroke and mechanics. He has some arm talent and we are hoping he can provide us with some really big innings this year.”
“Lake has a chance to make an impact in our lineup as an everyday hitter,” Doennig added. “He has some good juice in his swing from the left side of the plate. For only being a sophomore, he has a great plate approach.”
Juniors Barret Weller, Abel Getz, Carter Lee and Barek Hoffman will all push for varsity playing time. Most can play several positions throughout the lineup, while Bryson Bard, Rylan Bell and Paxten Parish could also see time on the mound.
The depth gives Doennig the ability to pick and choose the best lineup for each opponent.
“We want to be the toughest game on everyone’s schedule,” Doennig said. “We want teams to think that when Webb City steps off the bus, they are going to compete from the first pitch to the last. We also want the other team to know that they will need to defend every part of the field when we are on offense.”
The Cardinals will visit Carl Junction for a March 13 jamboree with the hosts and Republic. The regular season starts six days later, when Carl Junction travels to Webb City.
“We would like to be in the hunt for the COC West championship and a district championship,” Doennig said. “Our conference is really tough, and our district poses some challenges each year. We feel like if we can do those things, then we will have achieved some success this year.”
