Versatility will add to the Montezuma Braves’ chances to win more games this season But . .
But . . .”we are just excited to play baseball this year,” said Braves Coach Josh Anderson.
Practice began June 1. “We had a great week of practices,” said the coach, whose team opens its seson Monday, June 15, at Iowa Valley. That’s a 5 p.m. start.
“Normally, our pitchers’ arms would be peaking about now,” Anderson said. “The toughest part is that these kids haven’t thrown in a long time. So, I worry about their arms being healthy and this is one of the things we really have to watch out for.”
Pitching will be important if the Braves are to add to their total of five wins last summer.
Eddie Burgess and Owen Cook headline the pitching, which also had major contributions last season from Brayden Arendt, Cole Watts, Brydon Henning and Connor Van Zee.
“I think we will have a solid pitching staff this year,” Anderson said.
Cook, now a freshman, led the staff with a 4.20 earned run average, while Burgess, a sophomore, was at 5.07. Each pitcher struck out 33 batters, Cook it 35 innings and Burgess in 38.7.
Opponents hit just .161 against Van Zee, now a sophomore.
The Braves developed more sock on offense as the season went along and finished with a .258 team batting average.
Watts hit .404 with three home runs and 10 runs batted in.
Burgess hit .345 and led in RBIs with 14.
Arendt hit .328 and Preston Hirsch hit .293.
The Braves have some returning speed. Watts stole 19 bases, Arendt had 12, Van Zee and Cook swiped nine each and Burgess had seven.
“Kids will be playing multiple positions this year,” said Anderson, who has 13 players out for the squad.
“I am proud of the kids for competing and working hard,” he said.
“Normally, our first two weeks are a struggle dealing with spring sports. This is nice that we have everyone here for all the practices and not gone for other events.”
But, there is a “new normal” this season.
“The hardest part of the COVID-19 thing is taking temperatures and documenting all that,” Anderson said. “Then, spraying things down becomes a pain. But, the alternative to that is not playing, so we will do whatever it takes to keep playing.”
Braves by class
Seniors – Brayden Arendt, Preston Hirsch.
Juniors – Cam Johnson, Kodie Strong, Brydon Henning, Cole Watts, Joey Kercheval.
Sophomores – Eddie Burgess, Connor Van Zee.
Freshmen – Gavin Strong, Owen Cook, Colton Benson, Eli Bustamonte.