Neosho baseball starts 2021 with just one senior who has varsity experience.
That means the upcoming season will be crucial in terms of development for a program that figures to use a bevy of sophomores regularly.
Like every team in Missouri, Neosho’s lost season a year ago due to the COVID pandemic had a negative impact on positive progressions.
“It really hurt our sophomore class as well as our junior class,” Neosho coach Danny Powers said. “We had some sophomores who had a chance to play a little varsity for us as freshmen last year. Losing that season, and they played summer baseball, but not getting those kinds of reps everyday at practice and not knowing the culture and how we do things is almost like starting over from Day 1.
“Our seniors have done a good job of leading, but we are in a position where we are starting four or five sophomores every game. We start one junior and a handful of seniors. Early on, we are expecting some struggles, but hopefully we can grind it out and end up with a good season.”
Despite the lack of experience, Powers, who feels not having baseball a year ago has lifted the appreciation level, has been pleased with the work ethic from a roster filled out by nine seniors, six juniors, nine sophomores and one freshman.
“The attitudes have been great,” Powers said. “You don’t see the hangover from spring break having to be here for practice and things like that.”
The key to success for the Wildcats this season will be complimenting the defensive strengths by developing pitching behind senior left-hander P/OF Wyatt Keplar, who is the only returning Neosho player with any varsity experience. Keplar will lead the Wildcats on the mound, with Powers expecting contributions from sophomore P/SS Carter Fenske, junior P/OF Lane Yost, sophomore P/SS River Brill, sophomore P/1B Carter Baslee and senior P Karson Thomas.
“We pride ourselves on pitching and defense,” Powers said. “I am pretty happy with our defense. I think we are pretty solid up the middle and our outfield has good team speed.
“After Wyatt Keplar, it’s a big question mark. We have a lot of sophomores and juniors with similar stuff. It is going to come down to who is the most consistent. I think we have a few kids who have potential to have good years on the mound for us.
“We just have a lot of younger guys who don’t have any varsity experience. Right now, we just aren’t throwing strikes consistently. We need to develop our arms into throwing two pitches for strikes and we will be fine.”
Leading the way in the lineup will be Brill, Keplar, senior 3B Jose Ortega and sophomore UT Wyatt Shadwick. Powers noted that behind his four spots he feels are set, many of the remaining starting spots will be in flux, going to players who are showing the most signs of progression.
As the season advances, Powers is confident his players will grow more comfortable with playing at the varsity level. Will there be growing pains? Absolutely, but every team is dealing with the same situation. Progress only comes with experience, and Powers is excited for the future of his program.
“It’s a lot of just reiterating the little stuff, the culture stuff,” Powers said. “We want to outwork everybody. … We just have to iron that stuff out and the wins will follow.”
