By Chris Parker
Warsaw baseball has won either 16 or 17 games in each of the past three seasons. The Wildcats are looking to keep that trend going despite graduating a nine-player senior class.
“Overall expectations are going to be high going into the spring,” Warsaw head coach John Eierman said. “We have a completely new lineup, but the goals are to win our conference and district. We are going to need guys to step up and get it done.”
Three total starters return. On the mound, just one player with varsity innings pitched returns in senior Ryan Fajen.
“Ryan Fajen has been good for us for three years now,” Eierman said. “He’s thrown a lot of big games for us and we are looking forward to seeing him compete this spring.”
Fajen pitched 51.2 innings with 51 strikeouts and a 6-3 record as a junior.
Colton Kern (senior), Ayden Burdick (senior), Brecken Brewster (sophomore), Brady Roy (sophomore) and Brennen Slavens (senior) are all options on the mound.
“Colton Kern is a guy we are looking to step up and pitch a lot of innings,” Eierman said. “Ayden Burdick is going to pitch for us this spring. Brecken Brewster is a guy we are excited to see on the mound. Brady Roy has looked good this winter. Brennen Slavens is going to get some innings. We are going to have multiple guys step up this spring on the mound.”
Brody Burnworth (senior) and Easton Bagley (freshman) are options at catcher.
Slavens returns to the infield where he can play any position. Fajen is also a utility type on the infield when not pitching. Junior Logan Gemes will play up the middle. Kern will also be on the infield. Brewster could be in the infield or outfield.
Burdick, David Glenn (senior), Jazz Blen (junior), Brett Howe (sophomore) and Brady Roy will all also push for playing time.
Seniors Jase Hubert and Josh Harvath are both in line to play in the outfield.
“Jase Hubert is a two-year returning starter in the outfield and is going to make our team go at the top of the lineup,” Eierman said. “He led our team last year in stolen bases, on-base percentage, and runs. Josh Harvath is good in the outfield and the basepaths.”
Brewster, Brody Boggs (sophomore), Johrdan Decker (sophomore), Sebastian Wilkinson (junior), Brett Howe (sophomore) and Bagley are all fighting for playing time.
Warsaw opens the season on Mar. 19 at home against Skyline.
