2019 SPRING PREVIEW: GREENFIELD BASEBALL
The 2019 season featured some peaks and valleys for the Greenfield Wildcats, but they stored their first-class baseball for the stop of the yr. Greenfield (12-thirteen normal) beat Hurley in the district semifinals and followed that up with a disillusioned over top-seeded Exeter to win the district identify en route to some other disillusioned over Class 1 No. 2 ranked Dora in sectionals. Their magical run came to an end in a quarterfinal loss to Walnut Grove.
“Last 12 months turned into a season about getting better because the 12 months went on,” Greenfield’s head instruct Nick Engleman stated. “We took a few tough losses. However, it prepared us for where we wanted to be at season’s cease.” Greenfield lost 3 distinction-makers to commencement, considerably 2nd-crew All-State honoree Sawyer Dod. He hit an outstanding .536 at the plate and put up a 2.17 ERA and had 22 RBI and thirteen stolen bases.
“Sawyer was the backbone of this crew,” Engleman said. “He could be a neglected a part of the lineup and might be almost irreplaceable at the back of the plate.” The Wildcats also graduated Colin White, Marcus Wright, and Dawson Wimer but nonetheless return a skilled squad rife with seniors.
Senior Gage Burns returns after a massive junior season while he published a .379 common on the dish and a minuscule 1.27 ERA on the mound. The 2d-group All-State utility player is described as a gamer, who competes in the whole thing he does. Junior Caden Sims was a transfer from Clever who did no longer disappoint. The pitcher/first baseman brought a 2.Eighty ERA, incomes an Honorable Mention nod on the All-State group.
“He becomes our workhorse on the mound and will work deep into video games because he attacked hitters,” Engleman said. “He will be improving from knee damage. However, we hope to have him again late inside the season.” Seniors Trenton Wilson and Brayton Ipock, in addition to juniors Blade Welch and Levi Matthews, round out the returning starters.
Wilson located ways to make plays within the field, have timely hits and circulate runners while it mattered maximum. While Ipock didn’t hit for an awesome common, he was an on-base device and is defined as a top-notch baserunner. Welch stuffed in at 0.33 base and worked tough to improve his swing and ought to be someone that will log massive innings at the mound as nicely. Matthews made a transfer from the infield to the outfield last spring, gambling an outstanding right field and will roam the middle area in 2019.
Other returning lettermen include junior Chase Daniel and sophomore Chris Kemp. Top beginners predicted to peer varsity time consist of seniors Bailey Baker, Tyrell Stafford, Seth Trask, and Nico Murray. Junior Daunte Stafford and sophomores Noah Jeffreys, Dalton Meyers, Jasper Meyers, and Dustin Harmon round out the newcomers.
“This 12 months should be an interesting year due to the fact we can have so many new faces trying to compete in such a lot of one of a kind roles,” Engleman said. “We are seeking to embrace the system of working on the small things and trying to enhance our collective ability units.
“We will make appearance to maintain to work hard so that we can be gambling our great baseball come season’s stop.” Greenfield opens the season with the Lamar Tournament, beginning March 15
