BENTONVILLE — The success of Bentonville’s baseball team this spring could be determined in the area that stands out above the rest: the mound.
Schedule
Bentonville Tigers
Date Opponent Time
March 1 at Alma (DH) 4:30 p.m.
March 6-8 Best Sports Classic TBA
March 12 Rogers Heritage (DH)* 4:30 p.m.
March 15 Willard/Springfield Kickapoo@ 3 and 7 p.m.
March 21-23 at Central Ark. Invitational TBA
March 26 at Springdale High (DH)* 4:30 p.m.
March 29 Webb City, Mo. (DH) 5 p.m.
April 2 at Rogers High (DH)* 4:30 p.m.
April 5 Tulsa (Okla.) Bishop Kelley 4:30 p.m.
April 9 at Siloam Springs (DH)* 4:30 p.m.
April 12 North Little Rock (DH) 5 p.m.
April 18 at Greenwood 5 p.m.
April 19 Springdale Har-Ber (DH)* 4:30 p.m.
April 25 Van Buren (DH)* 4:30 p.m.
May 2 Fayetteville (DH)* 4:30 p.m.
May 4 Kansas City (Mo.) Rockhurst 1 p.m.
May 10-18 Class 7A State Tournament TBA
- denotes 7A/6A-West Conference game
The Tigers must replace almost every pitcher who contributed during last year’s 7A-West Conference championship run, and coach Todd Abbott is in search mode to find capable arms to fill those voids.
“We’ve got a lot of new faces that are going to see a lot of time out on the mound,” said Abbott, whose team opens its regular season Friday at Alma. “We have a lot of kids that have been throwing the ball really well.
“Of course, throwing well in practice or throwing well in intrasquad is not the same as throwing in a 7A varsity game. So it will be similar to a lot of years when you have a lot of players you’re counting on, and someone will rise to the top.”
There are plenty of players to choose from, and class will not a priority in choosing which players earn an opportunity to pitch. Abbott has made it clear those who will see action on the mound are those who he thinks will give Bentonville the best opportunities to win games.
The candidates are plentiful. Sophomores Baxter Cantrell, Ben Nordin, Preston Rosales, Cody Scroggins and Blake Werner are mentioned in the same list as juniors Payton Fitch and Jan Timpe and seniors Jake Reed and Jimmy Short.
Abbott said some freshmen could find a spot in the mix if necessary.
“We’re looking for the people that give us the best chance to win,” Abbott said. “And those are the people that attack the strike zone with quality pitches. Whether it’s a ninth-, 10th-, 11th- or 12th-grader, we’re going with the guys that can get it done.”
The Tigers are much more settled in the position players. Will Jibas and Clay Lewis shared playing time at catcher, while Jibas can play third and Junior Martinez could play second or short. Short will likely be in the outfield when he isn’t pitching.
Chad Musteen could see time at first, but there are others battling for play at other positions. Other possibilities include Reed and Chad Musteen at first base, Scroggins or Luke Vera at second, Nordin at third and Paul Rouse, Chris Mizelle and Austin Haggard — once basketball season is completed — in the outfield.
“Those pieces are going to start quickly falling into place,” Abbott said. “But everything will start on the mound, regardless of who it is. Whoever it is, they’ll need to have that bulldog mentality.
“We’ll be solid defensively, but the mound will set the tone. As these new faces get out there, hopefully they will build some confidence. The defense will have their back, and we’ll put some runs on the board.”