Oddly enough, even though the 2018 McDonald County High School baseball team is without its number one and two pitchers from last year, pitching may turn out to be a strength of this year's squad.
With Charlie Moore, Grant Cooper and Boston Dowd taking over as the top three starters, the Mustangs are in good shape on the mound, according to Coach Nick Martin.
"We should be pretty good on the mound and our defense is going to be all right," Martin said. "We just need to find a way to score some runs. We need to find the guy or guys to drive in runs."
Moore was 1-1 last year with a 2.30 e.r.a., while Cooper was third in innings pitched with 32 last year.
The bullpen will be closer by committee. Raygan Bradley, Jorge Ruiz and Cade Smith will battle for the top bullpen role.
In addition to the strong starting rotation, McDonald County returns five starting position players.
Leading the way is outfielder Tyler Stoutsenberger, who earned second team all-conference honors with a .303 average while driving in seven runs. Other returning starters include Jordan Platter (second base), Oakley Roessler (outfield), Ty Shaver (outfield) and Dowd (shortstop).
Expected to take over a starting role are Joe Brown (catcher), Micah Burkholder (DH/first base), James King (third base) and Caleb Curtis (outfield).
While the Mustangs lack power, they have speed to burn.
Roessler had 17 stolen bases last year, while Shaver had 13, Platter 10, Curtis eight and Stoutsenberger six.
"Oakley and Ty have great speed," Martin said. "They can run balls down in the outfield and are a threat to steal when they get on base. Platter played second base in every game last year as a sophomore and can run."
Dowd anchors the infield at shortstop. He also played every game at that position last year but will add mound duties to his game this year. Reece Cooper will take over at shortstop when Dowd is on the mound.
McDonald County opened the season at the Ozark Classics Baseball Tournament in Harrison, Ark., by going 2-1. The Mustangs beat Mammoth Springs, Ark., and Grove, Okla., while losing to West Plains.
McDonald County was at Neosho on March 22 before hosting Grove on March 24 in its home opener. McDonald County opens Big 8 Conference play on April 10 at East Newton. McDonald County entertains defending state champ Aurora on April 19 in a key conference contest.
The Class 5 District 12 Baseball Tournament is set for May 12-19 at Carthage High School.
Sports on 03/29/2018