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New Madrid County Central searching for return trip to state
NEW MADRID -- Back-to-back trips to the Class 3 final four may have changed how people look at the New Madrid County Central baseball program, but on the field it's business as usual for the Eagles.
Bringing back a host of young talent that shined brightest in the postseason, NMCC will once again set its sites on playing its best ball when playoffs come around.
"It doesn't change how we look at ourselves," Eagles' head coach Joseph McClarty said of his team's recent success. "We still have to go out and work hard and put in the time and effort. What went on the last two years has nothing to do with this year. If other teams use that for motivation or whatnot, that's good. It will push our guys and should hopefully make us better."
This preseason has a much different feel than that of last years'. Coming off their third place finish at state, NMCC entered the 2014 season needing to replace one of the top pitchers in southeast Missouri, Jayshawn McDaniel, along with the majority of the top of their lineup.
While there's certainly holes to fill, there's much more certainty than question marks. Many of the names who stepped up on the way to a 14-14 record and fourth place finish at state return and will be expected to take on bigger roles this year.
That includes sophomore Palmer Campbell, who turned heads last postseason, serving as a co-ace late in the year with senior Austin Godwin.
Palmer tossed a complete game three-hitter to give NMCC a 6-1 win over a favored Malden team in the District 1 championship game. Palmer was the Eagles' most steady arm in the postseason and earned enough faith to start their Class 3 semifinal game against Christian on the mound.
"He'll fill that role as being our number one and draw the tough games," McClarty said of Campbell. "He's just a sophomore, but he's pitched in some pretty big games already. He thrives on going up against better competition."
Other returners include seniors Jake Reed, Gage Silman, Grayson York and Kiel Causey. Juniors Tyler Sprouse, Drew Pikey and Garrison Keene come back following notable sophomore seasons as well.
Sprouse provided a key seventh-inning double in NMCC's 2-1 walk-off win over Scott City. York was the hero on the mound in a 6-5 comeback win over St. Pius in the quarterfinals after being sidelined with injuries.
York, Silman and Keene are expected to fill out the rotation behind Campbell, giving the
Eagles plenty of depth and versatility. McClarty expects that depth to carry over into field, where it'll be needed with so many everyday player also in the rotation.
That includes Keene, who will once again be the every day catcher when not on the mound. Silman will man third base and has already signed on to play college ball at Fontbonne University.
"I think we'll be stronger in the field this year. I like our defensive rotation," McClarty said. "Jake Reed is going to be a heck of a shortstop for us. If Garrison is on the mound then Reed will be behind the plate catching. We just have to fill a hole here and a hole there to make another run at our district."
Among the holes needed to be filled will be that of leadoff hitter Dylan Milisits, who graduated with Godwin. Daniel Manley, Austin Lynn and Brett Wilkerson round out the list of seniors saw their career's ended with last season's 6-4 loss to Fatima in the third-place game.
NMCC already has a head start in replacing many of those vacated spots with York expected to help fill Godwin's place on the team. Along with pitching close to half of NMCC's innings last season, Godwin typically batted near the cleanup position.
"York, there in the St. Pius game and in third/fourth place game, showed us that he could come in in a tough situation and get us some outs," McClarty said. "We're expecting that from him again this year. We also expect him to step in over there at first base and fill Austin's shoes when he's not pitching.
"He could be a big bat for us if he can continue to show what he's showed in thew spring and the bat on the ball."
McClarty added, "We set up a lot nicer this year (than the start of last season). We don't have as many question marks. But we still have to go out there and execute and play the game the way it's suppose to be played and do the little things to be successful."