By Chris Parker
Greenwood baseball has posted back-to-back eight-win seasons.
Six starters return this season. That group includes Cooper Morgan (senior LHP/OF/1B), Tayven Zarechi (senior C/P/INF), Henry Haynes (junior LHP/OF), Coen Little (sophomore utility), Karamjat Singh (sophomore OF) and Adam Abdalla (sophomore INF). Thomas Lin (junior OF) and Cooper Juneau (junior OF) are two more lettermen returning.
“I think this will be the most complete roster we’ve had since my first year, and I believe the overall expectation is to be starting a district championship game with our best options out there to give it their all for 7 innings,” Greenwood head coach Chris Meza said.
Morgan and Haynes will anchor the pitching staff. Jarrett Mars, Isiah Ross and Connor O’Toole are a trio of freshmen who will see innings on the mound. Ross will also be a backup catcher.
Mars and O’Toole are looking for time at the corner infield positions. Abdalla (2B) and Ross (SS) will also be on the infield. Little, Morgan, Haynes and Singh will be in the outfield.
Morgan, Zarechi and Haynes will be team leaders.
“What makes them important is how dedicated they have been to the life of this program,” Meza said. “It is still a fairly new program of only five years these three have logged a lot of innings in the field and in the weight room to improve themselves. They have exceeded expectations every year that I’ve been here, and we are hoping to send Cooper and Tayven out with one final ride as it will be their last high school season.”
That trio is also among the most improved on the team.
“Henry and Cooper have probably made the most improvements in the offseason adding some velocity after we discussed in our exit meetings last year that to give us the best chance to win and make a run they had to really get after it this offseason,” Meza said. “Tayven has also done a good job this offseason as a staff we asked him to try and get more games in behind the plate in more competitive environment this summer, and he has showed some progress there and will anchor the top of our lineup.”
Chaos on the basepaths will again be key to Greenwood’s success.
“Our offensive game plan has been a strong catalyst for us,” Meza said. “We like to cause chaos stealing over 100 bases as a team the last two seasons. If our freshman can contribute as expected on the mound, our pitching could be a very close second to our strong, fast-tempo offensive approach.”
Greenwood opens the season on Mar. 23 at home against Weaubleau.
“We want every team we play to know they are going to be in for a tough fight,” Meza said. “If we can give it our best effort, I think we can compete and be successful against any team that we share a field with.”
