By Chris Parker
McDonald County baseball returns six starters and seven total lettermen from last season’s team.
The senior class is seven players deep.
“Our team leaders will be our seniors,” McDonald County head coach Heath Alumbaugh said. “They have a lot of experience and know what to expect with our schedule.”
Three of those seniors in Chayton Banta, Konner Land and Kalen Goswick along with junior Corbyn Sanderson will be the key pitchers.
Brodie Roessler (senior) will catch. The rest of the infield will feature Kreighton Kasischke (senior), Banta, Goswick, Jette Akins (senior), Land, Devyn Epling (junior) and Caleb Renner (junior).
Sanderson, Axeton Bateman (senior), Nathan Staib (junior) and JW Riley (sophomore) are all options in the outfield.
“All of our players have made improvements from last year,” Alumbaugh said. “They have worked in the off-season to get better.”
Alumbaugh likes the mentality his team is bringing to the field.
“I think the strength of our team this year will be their mental toughness,” Alumbaugh said. “We have guys that won’t give in.”
McDonald County opens the season Mar. 20-21 at the Harrison Tournament.
“This year’s identity will just be a tough blue collar workers mentality,” Alumbaugh said. “Our overall expectations are to be competitive every day when we step on the field.”
