Pioneers have questions on mound
Batesville finished just 12-20 last season, but the Pioneers reached the championship game of the 5A East District Tournament to advance to the Class 5A State Tournament. In the opening round at Jacksonville, Batesville, second seed from the East, lost to Farmington, third from the West. In order to return to state in 2018, coach Brian Krug said, the Pioneers need to solidify their pitching. “Pitching is a question mark this season,” Krug said. “We are looking for guys to step up when they get their opportunity. We need guys who can get up there and throw strikes, pitch to contact and let their defense do the work behind them.” Batesville graduated five off last year’s squad, including four with experience on the mound: pitcher/infielder Brayden Alveti, pitcher/shortstop Tanner Vinson, pitcher /third baseman Taylor Ford and pitcher Brandon Brokaw. Also graduating was outfielder Tristan Tate. Five starters — but little pitching — return this spring. Returning starters include senior outfielder R.J. Jeffrey, who hit .291, led the team with 120 at-bats and will be a three-year starter; senior first baseman Logan Holman, who hit .283 and will be a four-year starter; senior outfielder/pitcher Hayden Mace, who hit .232; junior catcher/pitcher Hayden Childers, who hit .224; and junior middle infielder Hayden Hargraves, who batted .218. Krug said he was looking at several new starters. “Junior Heath Bishop will see his role dramatically increase with time on the mound, in the infield and helping out behind the plate catching,” the coach said. “Sophomore Caleb Blakely will see significant time in the outfield and will also get innings on the mound. Sophomore Tex Cook will get a chance to play several different positions in the infield, as well as get some innings on the mound. Sophomore Rhett Crafton is a very versatile player who can catch and play in the infield. Junior
Gannon Bailey was a contributor last year as a hitter. He will help out this year in the infield, as well as on the mound.” Krug said several freshmen, including Taylor Daugherty, Jace Daugherty, Mason Sifford and John Todd Stalker, may also be able to contribute some valuable innings. Despite the question marks on the mound, Krug said, the Pioneers returned a lot of players with varsity experience. The Pioneers will play in combined classification 5A/6A District 2 with Beebe, Greenbrier, Morrilton, Mountain Home, Searcy and Vilonia, the defending Class 5A state champion. Krug said Vilonia, Greenbrier and Searcy will be teams to watch from the blended conference this spring. To qualify for the Class 5A State Tournament, the Pioneers will have to finish among the top four in the 5A-East District Tournament against Blytheville, Forrest City, Greene County Tech, Nettleton, Paragould, Valley View and Wynne. Greene County Tech won the district tournament last year and reached the quarterfinals, beating Harrison in the opening round before falling to Little Rock Christian. Wynne, the third seed from the East, lost to Greenbrier in the opening round; Nettleton, fourth from the league, lost to Vilonia in the opening round.