Diamond Cubs return 6 starters from last season

By Jared Lankford [email protected]

With two-thirds of its starters returning, the Monett baseball team is looking to take another step forward this season.

Last year, the Cubs finished 11-12, but lost six contests by 2 runs or less. This year, Monett is hoping that its experience will create some space and those close losses will slide over into the win category.

“Last year was a year in which we completed very well but came up just a little short in many games.” said Michael Calhoun, Monett coach. “I was proud of our seniors and the way we battled all season. We had several kids step up and play key roles as the season progressed giving us some key experience moving into this spring. We finished fourth in the Big 8 and lost 7-3 to a good Aurora team in the district semifinals.”

Monett lost three starters to graduation in Aiden Clapper, Landyn Brandt and Michael Privett.

Clapper was 4-2 as a starting pitcher and the trio combined to collect 73 hits, 42 RBI and 16 extra base hits.

However, the Cubs have firepower coming back in the form of a trio of All-Conference and All-District performers in Carson Burtrum, Miles Young and Samuel Carr.

Burtrum, a senior, was 5-5 on the mound last year with a 2.44 ERA.

“Carson has been an excellent starting pitcher over his first three seasons,” Calhoun said. “I don’t see anything changing. He’s an excellent left handed pitcher and I am excited to see how he does at first base when he is not on the bump.”

Young hit .338 with 18 RBI as a junior and is expected to be a run producer for Monett this season.

“Miles has been a three-year starter for us on the infield,” Calhoun said. “He will be one of our senior leaders and a big part of our offense.”

Carr hit .338 for the Cubs last year with 23 hits and 15 RBI.

“Samuel had a breakout campaign at third base last season,” Calhoun said. “He was one of our best and most consistent hitters. I see him just continually improving in all aspects of his game.”

Tucker Anderson returns for his senior campaign behind the plate and anchoring the pitching staff.

“Tucker was our starting catcher last season and did an excellent job,” Calhoun said. “I look for him to earn that position again and continue to improve both offensively and defensively. He will be one of our key leaders this season. He is focused and has been working hard this off-season to make this one his best.”

Senior Logan Cole played his way into the Cubs’ starting lineup last year, and Calhoun expects bigger things this season.

“Logan really improved his overall game last season,” Calhoun said. “By the end of the year, he was our second baseman. I see him pushing for that position again this year. He is a very hard worker that also keeps improving at the plate.”

Monett will ask junior pitcher Dylan Washick to chew up innings on the mound.

“Dylan was one of our best pitchers returning this season,” Calhoun said. “He has a good arm and excellent

control on all his pitches. He’s a great competitor, and I am truly excited to see how he does with an increased workload on the mound.”

The Cubs will also look to Braden Cendroski and Brayden Seitz to round out its returning starters.

“Braden was our second baseman and designated hitter throughout most of the season. I look for him to continue to be a catalyst in our lineup this season. I look for him to compete for time at second. Brayden played outfield but had a few injuries last season, but I am excited to see him get a full season in the outfield. He will be around the top of our lineup and I see him causing havoc on the base paths.”

Monett will look to a deep bench to fill out is roster spots in seniors Xavier Garcia, Adma Martinez and Truman Zinn; juniors Chris Calhoun, Seth Denny and Urijah Rigs: Sophomores, Jaxon Stout, Levi Szylodski, Cameron Ash, Hayden Bremer, Karsen Madrid, Kelby Connella, Kolbey Bounds and Luis Serrono.

“I am excited about our numbers and the combination of youth and experience we have coming back,” Calhoun said. “We were so close last year in many games and I feel our core back learned a lot of great lessons we can build upon. We have several seniors that will be excellent leaders for us. Several of our younger players that got a taste last season I see getting a lot better. Our conference and district will be very competitive and I look forward to another exciting spring.”

The Cubs open the season on March 20 at Southwest. Monett’s home opener is slated for March 24 against ElDorado Springs.