By Keith Brake
Montezuma Magazine Editor
Montezuma baseball Coach Josh Anderson has reasons to be optimistic about this summer’s team.
The Braves posted a 9-9 record last summer, their best in six years. They return a good bit of talent from that team.
“I am excited to have full season,” Anderson said. “After the success the kids saw last year, I hope that lights a fire and they see their full potential.”
“I have told them many times and it’s a matter of them believing in each other as well as themselves,” the coach said.
The Braves were scheduled to open their season at home on Tuesday, May 25, against BCLUW.
It’s a relatively short regular season, ending July 2, before post-season play begins.
“Playing three games a week for six weeks makes it a ‘long’ short season,” Anderson said. “We have to utilize our pitchers and not give up extra outs – which leads to extra pitches, and fewer pitchers,” he said.
“Owen Cook, Cole Watts, Cam Johnson, Eddie Burgess, Connor Van Zee and Colton Benson will see the majority of the pitching this season,” Anderson said.
Last year, Burgess had the most innings pitched with 36.1. He had a 1-4 record, but an earned run average of 4.24 per seven innings. He walked 12 and struck out 44.
Cook went 3-2 on 26.1 innings of work. His earned run average was 4.78, with 14 walks and 17 strikeouts.
Cole Watts won three and lost one. He pitched 15 innings, walked nine and struck out 16.
“Connor (Van Zee) and Owen (Cook) will handle the catching duties,” Anderson said. “Both are great catchers and with Owen catching some, it allows us to used Connor in the infield, where he is very strong,” Anderson said.
Van Zee hit .304 last season with 13 runs batted in. Cook was a .319 hitter, with 14 RBIs.
As a team, Montezuma hit .300. The Braves scored 8.2 runs a game and yielded 6.1.
Burgess was a .380 hitter for the Braves. He hit two home runs and drove in 10 runs. Watts hit .300 with 10 RBIs.
Cam Johnson was a .289 hitter and drove in 13 runs. Joey Kercheval hit .256, with six runs batted in.
“Our position players will move around a lot, depending on who pitches,” Anderson said. “Cam Johnson, who spends the majority of his time at first base, is an excellent center fielder as well,” the coach said.
“We have a few guys knocking on the door for more playing time,” Anderson said. “Cruz De Jong is fighting for a position at second base, along with Gavin Strong,” Anderson said.
“Colton Benson, Jack Erselius and Garrett Watts are others that have a small amount of varsity experience but could see a lot more this year.”
“We have very strong senior leaders,” Anderson said. “We have great kids that really enjoy the game of baseball and that excites me.”
“Our offense nees to be more consistent,” Anderson said. “The guys showed more power and hopefully that can become contagious.”
“Overall,” Anderson said, “we are excited to play baseball!”
The Baseball Braves
Seniors – Brydon Henning, Cole Watts, Cam Johnson, Joey Kercheval.
Juniors – Zach Bennett, Eddie Burgess, Nathan Jorgenson, Connor Van Zee.
Sophomores – Gavin Strong, Owen Cook, Colton Benson, Eli Bustamante, Marty Knox.
Freshmen – Kaya Latcham, Garrett Watts, Jack Erselius, Cruz De Jong, Sammy Boughner.