By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Twenty-win seasons and district championships have been the bar for the Glendale Falcons under head coach Jim Julian.
With a veteran lineup returning, the Falcons figure to remain one of the area’s top programs in 2024.
“We need to figure out our identity for this season and pay attention to details in everything that we do,” said Julian, a 1995 Glendale grad. “We play a tough schedule that will make us play the right way and prepare us for a postseason run.”
Glendale returns seven full-time starters, five of whom are among a nine-player senior class.
Senior Drew Wedgeworth emerged as Glendale’s No. 1 pitcher last season. He finished 7-3 overall with one save and a 1.14 ERA. Wedgeworth earned second team all-conference and second team all-state honors.
“He is very competitive and confident on the mound and does a good job attacking the strike zone and using his defense behind him,” Julian said. “He pitched in some big games last season and beat some really good teams.”
Alex Rankin (DH) and Mark Ross (IF) each hit over .300 last season. Rankin, who was first team all-conference, will also contend for a defensive spot in the field this season.
Ross, a Central Arkansas commit, had the second-most RBIs on the team (29) and recorded 10 steals. He was second team all-conference.
“He is a powerful hitter who will be counted on to drive in some runs this season,” Julian said.
Kaleb Julian was another effective pitcher on a deep staff. The second team all-conference honoree went 4-1 with a 1.43 ERA and picked up two saves in relief duty.
“We look for Kaleb to take another step with the experience he gained,” Coach Julian said. “He is a very poised pitcher who does a good job attacking the strike zone.”
Second baseman Cam Stratton, a first team all-conference selection, hit .361 with 18 RBIs and seven steals. He gives Glendale another experienced infielder.
“He has really good contact skills and has added power every year,” Coach Julian said.
Brayden Biggers brings speed and a quality arm to the outfield. He saw limited varsity action as a reserve last season.
“Brayden is an aggressive baserunner with good speed and always looks to move up when he is on,” Coach Julian said. “He handles the bat well and can do a lot for our lineup.”
Glendale returns two juniors who started as sophomores: Sebastian Norman (SS/UTL) and Graham Satterwhite (C).
Norman was second team all-conference with a .341 average, nine extra-base hits, 25 RBIs and 15 steals. Look for Norman to pitch more this season as well.
“Sebastian is an impact player who can influence the game with his bat, his speed or his defense,” Coach Julian said. “This year, he will take on more of a pitching role for us and also play outfield and third base at times.”
Satterwhite, honorable mention all-conference, is a quality defensive player who’s eager to show more production at the plate.
“Graham handles our pitching staff very well, has a plus arm and is a good defensive catcher,” Coach Julian said. “He has worked diligently on his offensive skills and has shown this offseason the benefits of that work.”
A trio of seniors will try to make a varsity impact in their final seasons: Brandon Phillips (P/IF), Adam Henke (P/IF) and Brendan Moran (P/IF). Henke suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason last year.
“Brandon threw well on our JV team last season. He’s an athletic player who can play several positions,” Coach Julian said. “Adam has worked hard to come back from his injury and will compete for innings on the mound. Brendan can play several different positions and handles the bat well.”
Glendale finished 25-6 overall last season. The Falcons captured their third district title in four seasons by knocking off a pair of state-ranked teams (Camdenton, Willard).
Wedgeworth threw a no-hitter in the district championship game win over Willard.
Glendale’s season ended with a loss to St. Francis Borgia in the Class 5 quarterfinal round.
Glendale has reached the 20-win mark every season since 2017.
“Last year’s team was truly a special group,” Coach Julian said. “We had a good mix of talented, experienced upperclassmen and some talented underclassmen who all contributed to our success.
“Not only did that team have great baseball players, it also had great people. It was probably the most enjoyable season of my coaching career.”
Six seniors graduated, including all-state infielder and Ozark Conference Player of the Year Brooks Kettering. He’s now playing at Southeast Missouri State.
“Brooks did a little bit of everything for us,” Julian said. “He was a terrific five-tool player and a good leader and clubhouse guy. He was an advanced hitter with contact skills as well as plate discipline.”
Also gone are Carter Lewis (1B, Drury), Spencer Pottebaum (P, Mission University), Drew Replogle (P), DJ Cofield (OF) and reserve Ryder Young (UTL).
“Carter was our anchor at first base. He was like having a coach on the field and was good at communicating with players and coaches,” Julian said.
Pottebaum was a first-team all-conference selection after going 7-1 with a 1.71 ERA.
Replogle pitched well in limited action and earned two wins plus a save. Cofield, who earned second team all-conference honors, was a speedy and dependable presence in center and hit leadoff.
In addition, Kellen Lindstrom (P/OF) graduated early to begin his college football career at the University of Tennessee.
The Falcons enter 2024 aiming for more postseason success, including the program’s first final four berth since 1978.
Many players from last season’s JV team are competing for varsity promotions.
In the junior class, Easton Friesen (P/UTL), Rex Deters (P/INF) and Dominic Licata (P/OF) can play multiple positions. All three played limited varsity innings last season.
“Easton handles the bat well and has a good baseball IQ,” Coach Julian said. “Rex was one of our top JV players last year and has an aggressive, confident mindset. Dom is a quick, athletic player who we think could look to contribute at the varsity level.”
Blaize Thompson has developed well at catcher and can also pitch or play first base.
The Falcons’ outfield unit includes Noah Goforth (OF/P), Owen Benzen, Andrew Montgomery (OF/IF) and Ethan Christy. Benzen is recovering from hip surgery.
Roman Sowers is a “crafty” left-handed pitcher who’s shown tremendous improvement over the last two years. Owen Cantrell (1B) will look to continue his development as well.
Sophomores to watch include Kyle Julian (P/INF), Reed Jackson (P/1B), Karsten Stack (P/IF) and Kameron Richardson (P/OF). Julian and Jackson could see varsity innings as relief pitchers.
“Kyle is a strike thrower who does a good job of competing,” Coach Julian said. “Reed had a good freshman campaign, and we look for him to keep getting better.”
Glendale opens the regular season March 15 at Springdale (Ark.). The home opener is March 28 versus Kickapoo.
The Falcons will play in a jamboree on March 8 against Hillcrest (host), Parkview and Fair Grove.
“Each conference game will be a tough matchup and will test us,” Coach Julian said. “I’m not sure what our district will look like, but there is a good chance that we will move up to Class 6. Regardless of our classification, the potential district we’re in will be tough.”
