SSHS baseball preview
Fans will want to keep a roster handy while watching the Siloam Springs baseball team in 2018.
“We’ve got a lot of new faces,” said head coach Alan Hardcastle, “and lot of those are new young faces.”
Several of those faces are going to see action this season as the Panthers are set to open their season Monday at Prairie Grove.
Siloam Springs was scheduled to play a benefit game at Rogers Heritage Tuesday, but it was postponed to Thursday.
One position on the field that will see a lot of these newcomers is on the mound, where the bulk of last year’s innings pitched has been lost to graduation from the Panthers’ 11-17 team in 2017.
Of the 24 players on the roster, 13 are listed as a pitcher under their position.
“Pitching-wise we’re going to throw a lot of them at them,” Hardcastle said. “Every couple of innings, you may see a new arm.”
Seniors Jacob Rowe, Dalton Marsh, juniors Baron Meek and A.J. Serrano, sophomores Reed Wilbanks, Isaac Price, Tanner Broyles and Taylor Pool and freshman Colin Evers could all see time on the bump.
“They’re not going to overwhelm you with fastballs, but they throw strikes,” Hardcastle said. “The biggest thing we’ve concentrated on is throwing strikes. We can ill afford to walk guys.”
The Panthers also hope to get junior L.T. Ellis back as a pitcher after Ellis suffered an ACL tear during football season.
“Hopefully, we’ll get L.T. healthy,” Hardcastle said. “He’ll help us out. It’s going to be pitching by committee.”
The Panthers have some stability behind the plate with Pool, who started most games at catcher as a freshman.
“He caught probably every game except for three to four,” Hardcastle said. “He’s come back and man, he’s hitting the ball well. His speed is tremendous. He’s a great asset to the team. He’s a kid that’s going to go as far as he wants to go. He has a great opportunity in football and baseball.”
Junior Chance Hilburn and Rowe also will be called upon to catch at times, with Pool being used on the mound and possibly in the outfield.
At first base, the Panthers are giving senior Jackson Knight a look along with junior A.J. Serrano and sophomore Dalton Cook. Marsh also could be called upon to play some first base.
Price appears to have locked up the second base position, but freshmen Elijah Coffey and Gavin Henson could play there some if Price is called on to pitch.
“Price swings the bat well,” Hardcastle said. “He’s a guy that’s hardnosed and it’s going to take a lot to get something by him. You’re not going to rattle him.”
With Ellis out, Wilbanks steps into the starting shortstop position, but Hardcastle said Coffey and Henson also will have a chance to step in there as well.
Rowe and Evers are battling for the third base position.
“It’s going to come down to who’s hitting in the lineup,” Hardcastle said. “Last year we had a tough time scoring runs. When you look around, you don’t see that stud (batter). What we have is good competition, guys that are going to keep other guys in check.”
Rowe is a team captain along with senior Nolan Wallis and will find a spot
somewhere for the Panthers if he doesn’t win the third base job.
Evers could end up being the Panthers’ top pitcher before the year is out, Hardcastle said.
“Evers being a freshman, could be our No. 1,” Hardcastle said. “He’s that good. He throws right, swings it left, got power. It’s a little raw, but I’ve seen the power. He can hum it too. We need to get a month under
him, but he’s going to be special.”
Junior Baron Meek will start in center field and hit in the middle of the lineup after a strong sophomore season.
“He’s got good speed and a good arm,” Hardcastle said. “He’s a worker. I look for Baron to lead the way from the 3 or 4 hole.”
Pool also will play some outfield as well.
Sophomore Tanner Broyles is penciled in left field and is another Panther with good speed and a decent arm. Broyles can also play some first base.
Wallis will play some right field for the Panthers, while Coffey or