By Chris Parker
Liberal baseball returns seven players who saw varsity starts in some capacity last season.
Development of new pitching options will be key for Liberal after losing several pitchers to graduation, transfer or injury.
“The No. 1 thing we will have to find is guys that throw strikes,” Liberal head coach Travis Walton said. “We lost a lot of our pitching last year and with one injured, we are going to have to have guys take the mound and fill it up. Defensively and offensively, I think we will be fine so if we can get guys to take the mound with a fill it up mentality, then I think we can find ways to be successful.”
Seniors Adam Collier and Cody Suschnick are the only returning players who saw significant time on the mound.
Suschnick is slated to be the everyday catcher, but that could change if another player steps up allowing Suschnick to move to the field when not pitching.
Collier will be a corner infielder. Sophomore Clay Henegar will be up the middle on the infield. Kellen Bazal (sophomore) and Cooper Ruddick (freshman) are a couple more players who could see time on the infield.
The outfield returns experience with starters Kaidon Simpson (senior), Degan Swarnes (junior) and Anson Chargois (junior) all returning.
Senior Hector Cruz will also be looking to lock down a spot on the field.
“We have a great group of kids that work hard so I think our strength will be our improvement from day 1 until the end of the season,” Walton said.
Liberal opens the season on Mar. 23 at Wheatland.
“I expect us to come out and compete every day,” Walton said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s at practice or who our opponent is, I expect us to take the field looking to get better than the day before and compete every at bat, every play. If we do that, then I think we will give ourselves a chance to be competitive night in and night out.”
