By Chris Parker
Bolivar baseball will have a mostly new look on the field this season with three starters returning.
“We are extremely young, with only one senior starter,” Bolivar head coach Darrin Ankrom said. “We are going to have to grow up fast if we want to be able to compete in Class 5.”
The pitching staff will be anchored by Brayden Long (junior), Evan Mortensen (junior), Payton Williamson (junior) and Blaine Chastain (sophomore).
“All of their styles are similar,” Ankrom said. “Our goal is to attack the strike zone and be able to throw at least three different pitches for strikes in any count.”
Freshmen Kolt Hill and Blaine Routh are poised to handle the catching duties.
“We are obviously very young behind the plate, but Kolt and Blaine are good leaders and we are excited to watch them grow,” Ankrom said.
The infield lineup will feature Blaine Routh and Chastain at first base, Chapel Banner at second base, Long at shortstop and Clavin Hensley at third base.
“Banner and Long return up the middle,” Ankrom said. “Hensley has a great glove and will do a good job at the hot corner. Routh and Chastain will be competing for the starting spot at first.”
Banner had an OPS of .805 last season with 20 runs scored and 11 RBI. Long contributed 8 RBI and 11 runs scored with a .741 OPS.
Look for Wyatt Bliss (right field), Remington Manes (centerfield), Mortensen (left field) and Knox Wolhoy (left field) in the outfield.
“Bliss is probably a centerfielder on just about any other team,” Ankrom said. “Manes is a three-year starter who has a lot of potential. Mortensen and Wolhoy will compete for the starting job in left field.”
Manes led the team with 16 stolen bases last season to go with an .817 OPS, 21 runs scored and 14 RBI.
Ankrom is looking for Banner, Long, Bliss and Hensley to be team leaders.
“All four guys have great character and a desire to compete,” Ankrom said. “They will lead by example and be able to help our younger guys adapt at the varsity level.”
While those four will be key leaders, Ankrom sees his roster as full of high-character players.
“We have an outstanding group of young men who do the right thing on and off the field. They are all great teammates and have earned each other’s respect,” Ankrom said. “(We want our identity to be) high character, hardworking and great teammates. This group has already shown that they possess these characteristics. We will need to continue to build on them if we want to be successful.”
Bolivar opens the season Mar. 19-21 at the Forsyth Tournament.
“Regardless of our roster, we always have high expectations,” Ankrom said. “This group is different from any of the groups we’ve had in recent years. We are extremely athletic and much more team oriented. If they are willing to play for each other and put everyone else above themselves, this could be a fun year for Bolivar Baseball.”
