A new era is officially underway for the College Heights Christian School baseball program.
Phillip Jordan is the program’s new head coach and the Cougars will feature a large number of underclassmen in key roles this spring.
“There is a lot of anticipation for the 2022 season,” Jordan said. “We have a lot of new pieces, and feel by the end of the season we can be very competitive. With so many new players, we hope to have a winning record and compete for the Ozark 7 and district championship.”
College Heights returns six players with prior varsity experience.
Nick Brueggemann (P/OF) is the lone senior, while Ben Thomas (P/OF), Bo Sitton (U) and Grady Prescott (2B) are juniors and Kelton Welch (SS) and Caleb Evans (1B/DH) are sophomores.
Jordan noted his returning varsity letterwinners have led the way on and off the field during the preseason.
“We have great leadership from our upperclassmen,” Jordan said. “It will be key for those guys to bring the younger players along as they adjust to the high school game. There is a lot of talent in the freshmen class, therefore the leadership of our older guys will be important as they continue to develop.”
Newcomers expected to play important roles this spring are sophomore Brayden Youngberg (OF) and freshmen Liam Nelson (CF/P), Josh Anderson (SS/P), Jayce Walker (2B), Smoke Ezell (C), Austin Miller (P/U), Philip Thompson (OF), Tate Angel (OF), Evan Prescott (OF), Josiah Thomas (OF), Bennett Thomas (OF) and Kaleb Kennedy (1B).
For the Cougars, the keys to success are simple this season.
“Building consistency in all aspects of the game will be important,” Jordan said. “I have seen flashes of good offense, defense, and pitching through our jamboree and first two games. However, we have to consistently compete in the strike zone on the mound, make plays on defense, and take good approaches at the plate if we want to win games.”
Jordan is optimistic the Cougars have the pieces in place to put together a solid season.
“After an 8-11 season in 2021, I feel confident that if we can play consistent baseball we have the talent to have a winning record and reach the goals we have set out,” Jordan said.
College Heights is off to a 1-1 start, as the Cougars earned a win over El Dorado Springs and suffered a loss to Purdy. CHC will compete in Class 2 District 12.
The Cougars will host Riverton (Kan.) at 5 on Thursday.
