County baseball teams ready for spring

Wright County’s four baseball programs are ready for this spring on the diamond.
Mountain Grove
There are four returning starters and a total of six returning lettermen for a Mountain Grove baseball team that was 9-17 last spring.
A lot of arms will be deployed on the mound this spring for head coach Jeffrey Richardson.
The list includes juniors Trace Harker (CF), Eli Golden (SS, C), Taylor Garner (3B), Briar Parsons (1B) and Brady Burnett (RF); sophomores Skip Thompson (SS) and Sawyer Kidd (1B); and freshmen Kayne Meyer and Collin Wake.
Golden and Meyer will see duty behind the plate.
“Our desire to get better is going to help us continue to improve as the season goes along,” Coach Richardson said. “We have a lot of guys that want to challenge themselves every time they show up...I expect us to compete from start to finish every game. Not really sure how that comes out in the win loss columns but our effort is all we can control.”
Hartville
The Hartville Eagles won a district title last spring and advance to the state quarterfinals.
This past fall they went 11-7 as they lost four of their last five games.
Returning this year are seniors Gus Sinning (Utility/P), Truett Coryell (P/CF), Brock Jones (C) and Jacob Meglan (1B); juniors Brodyn Hulsey (P/2B), Hunter Walker (P/SS), Heston Lowery (P/2B) and Dallas Jordan; and sophomores Cole Sinning (Utility) and Maddox Jones (OF).
Gus Sinning was 7-2 on the mound with a 1.79 ERA and Hulsey was 3-3 with a 1.81 ERA. Gus Sinning led the team in hitting with 32 hits and a .386 batting average.
“We have a chance to be successful this season if we can execute on offense,” said Hartville head coach Bradey Welsh. “We have a strong pitching staff going into the spring season and that is something we will rely on to keep us in every game and compete.”
Mansfield
The Mansfield Lions were 9-12 last spring and 11-6 this past fall as they won nine in a row before falling in the Summit Conference Tournament.
There are seven returning starters and eight returning lettermen. The mound will feature juniors Brayden Stuart (OF), Aiden Garrison (OF), Fisher Croney (CF) and Cole Whorton (2B/3B) along with senior Bryston Kingery (SS) and freshman Jaxon Clark (OF).
“Our team strength will be our depth in pitching,” said Mansfield head coach Joe Garrison. “We won 11 games this fall and we had six different pitchers that recorded a win on the mound. Each of them compete and can keep us in a game.”
Seniors John Roberts (1B) and Kingery (SS/P) are the team leaders and will be leading by example this season.
“I want our team’s identity to be a unified group that is all in!,” Coach Garrison said. “All in as in having the approach as a teammate of what do I need to do today in order to help the Lions win. We are a Lion Pride that works together to achieve One Goal: Win.”
Norwood
Norwood was 15-7 last spring and 5-4 this past fall.
Returning for the Norwood Pirates includes seniors Carder Kelly (IF), Caden Black (P, IF), Holten Lopez (P/IF), Pierce Lawson (P, OF) and Wyatt Bolfing (OF); juniors Laken Coatney (P, Utility), Pete McCune (C) and sophomore Carson Vaughan (P, Utility).
“This is a seasoned group of kids that will compete hard everyday,” said Norwood head coach Drew Miller.
“We had a short exit last year and it has left the team hungry. Our senior leadership will be our key to success.”