Eagles look to defend state championship
With six returning starters, including at least three who will play college baseball next year, Vilonia’s Eagles are aiming at a repeat of their state-championship run in 2017. From a ho-hum 17-11 start, Brad Wallace’s team won its final eight games, including the 5AWest District Tournament and the Class 5A State Tournament, capped by a 9-2 win over favored Magnolia in the state final at the University of Arkansas’ Baum Stadium in Fayetteville. “We plan to match last year’s success by equaling the amount of work we put into practice to become better hitters, as well as increasing our arm strength on the mound,” Wallace said. “We must match our intensity on the bases to provide the fun we need to enjoy playing the game. “We must play fearless in order to never feel like we are ever out of a game, no matter the score, as we had six come-from-behind victories last season, including two in the state tournament.” In the 5A-West Tournament, the Eagles rolled over Alma, 5-1, and Harrison, 16-3, before dumping Greenbrier in the final, 9-6. As the league’s top seed for the state tournament, Vilonia beat Nettleton, 9-3, before surviving a pair of eight-inning contests: over White Hall, 10-7, and Little Rock Christian, 7-6, to reach the championship game. Returning starters include Cody Mitchell, a senior right-handed pitcher/outfielder who will play for Harding University in Searcy next year; Jordan Korzen, a senior first baseman/pitcher set to play for Three Rivers (Missouri) College; Zak Whitis, a senior catcher also headed to Harding; Trey McNespey, a senior right-handed pitcher; Josh Albat, a junior third-baseman/right-handed pitcher; and Caden Raeburn, a junior designated hitter/first baseman. Whitis and Korzen led the Eagles in batting average last year. Raeburn came on as a pinch hitter, eventually becoming the full-time designated hitter. Whitis leads all returners in home runs, but Wallace said Korzen, Albat and Raeburn showed “strong promise” for 2018. Several newcomers will contribute in the field. “Senior Hunter Kelley and junior Luke Berry look to provide defensive support in the infield, along with junior Reed Saddler in the outfield,” Wallace said. “[Saddler] had a strong showing in postseason play last year. Junior Devin James, who was injured during the 2017 season, provided strong innings behind the plate in the postseason, along with Zak Whitis.” The coach said speed provided stability for the Eagles in 2017. “We look for strong seasons on the bases from Hunter Kelley, Reed Sadler and Luke Berry, who provide the most returning experiences,” Wallace said. “We are also looking for Kyle Vines, Sagan Lewis and Triston Milligan to fill roles from a strong graduating class.” The coach said team strengths will include experience and depth on the mound. “We feel our pitching staff will be a strong asset this season,” Wallace said. “We return a starting staff of Mitchell and McNespey, who is also a college prospect. We had a great 2017 from senior left-handed pitcher Kory Wilson. He is out for the season with arm surgery, but he has signed with Central Baptist College [in Conway]. “We expect strong quality innings from Albat, sophomore right-handed pitcher Cade McWilliams and sophomore left-handed pitcher Drew Killough, as well as the ability to get outs from senior right-handler Denver Hinson. We also anticipate possible success from newcomer Turner Holland (junior right-handed pitcher).” Another strength will include “the confidence at the plate to never get beat,” Wallace said. Weaknesses? “Unproven confidence on the bases, which has the ability to change the game,” Wallace said. As always, among the games to watch will be the Eagles’ contest with Faulkner County rival Greenbrier. “That’s always a good one,” Wallace said. “As a coach, I have a lot of respect for their program and their talent, but most importantly, their head coach, Tye Glover.” Last season’s success changed expectations around Vilonia. “I expect our team to practice as hard as they can, day in and day out, then play the game harder than they practiced,” Wallace said. “My desire is that they are humbled by the game of baseball and play each day as if the prize at the end is the time they get to spend with each other. “If their desire is that, then they will desire to play the last game of the season.”