War Eagles May Turn To Small Ball

— Rogers Heritage lost only two starters from last years Class 7A state baseball runnerup, but they were significant losses.

Blake Baxendale and Hunter Wood, who both earned All-State honors, were two of the teams top run producers. Wood was also a 10-game winner on the mound.

Schedule

Rogers Heritage War Eagles

Date Opponent Time

Feb. 25 Greenwood (benefit) 3:45 p.m.

March 1-2 Fort Smith Tournament TBD

March 6-8 Best Sports Classic at Rogers TBD

March 12 at Bentonville* (DH) 4:30 p.m.

March 18-22 Vero Beach, Fla., Tournament TBD

March 26 at Fayetteville* (DH) 4:30 p.m.

March 28 Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo 4:30 p.m.

April 2 Siloam Springs* (DH) 4:30 p.m.

April 5 at McDonald County, Mo. 4:30 p.m.

April 9 Springdale High* (DH) 4:30 p.m.

April 12 at Carl Junction, Mo. 4:30 p.m.

April 15 Fort Smith Southside 4:30 p.m.

April 18 at Van Buren* (DH) 4:30 p.m.

April 22 at Fort Smith Northside 4:30 p.m.

April 25 Springdale Har-Ber* (DH) 4:30 p.m.

April 29 at Neosho, Mo. 4:30 p.m.

May 2 at Rogers High* (DH) 4:30 p.m.

May 6 Carthage, Mo. 4:30 p.m.

May 9-11 7A State Tournament TBD

  • denotes 7A/6A-West Conference games

Both continued their baseball careers at the collegiate level. Baxendale signed with Arkansas, while Wood chose Howard College in Big Spring, Texas.

Heritage coach Keith Kilgore acknowledged this years team will be different, but with seven returning starters still has the ability to be a good team. The War Eagles have earned at least a share of the conference title for the past three seasons.

You lose a guy who hit around .500 and a pitcher like Hunter, who won 10 games, they carried a lot of burden for us, Kilgore said. This year well need a more concerted team effort up and down the lineup.

Our strategy may change a little, play a little more small ball. Get runners in motion and get them in scoring position. But thats not a bad thing. We have a little team speed.

Junior Dalton McKaughan, a two-year starter and all-conference selection a year ago, said this years team has more pitching depth than hes seen, even without Wood.

We have a lot more pitchers, McKaughan said. We have some depth now, which should help us.

Senior Jayme Lovelace, who recently signed to play at Barton Community College next season, will anchor the pitching staff.

The right-hander went 2-1 on the mound a year ago but was limited because of health issues. However, he earned a complete-game victory to help Heritage sweep Fayetteville in a key conference win and threw six scoreless innings in the War Eagles state tournament win over Little Rock Catholic.

Im definitely going out there with the mindset to go seven innings, Lovelace said. Im not a power guy. I know if I just be me, make my pitches and get ground balls, let these guys handle it.

Kilgore said Lovelace will need to be a cornerstone for the pitching staff.

The work hes done this summer, hes elevated his game, Kilgore said. Hell have to be a two-way guy for us probably at first base some. Were expecting great things out of him.

Senior Cameron Besett, sophomore Kacey Murphy and junior Troy Cahill all saw action on the mound a year ago and should see more this season for the War Eagles.

Newcomers Colton Wetzler and Josh Qualls will also likely throw some for the War Eagles. The juniors will also play some in the outfield.

Wetzler transferred from Springdale Har-Ber. Qualls, the starting quarterback in the football, decided to come out for baseball after sitting out of the sport the past two years.

Junior Forrest Ward, who drove in 30 runs a year ago and hit .327, moves from right field to catcher to replace Baxendale. Lovelace and Murphy will split time at first base, depending on whos pitching.

McKaughan at short and Cahill at second give the War Eagles a strong returning double play combination.

Brandon Gates, who missed the last half of conference play last year with a knee injury, will likely play third. Senior Connor Cawthon could also see time there.

Chase Kilgore, who started as a freshman, moves to center field and likely will occupy the leadoff spot in the batting order. Senior Steven Undernehr, Wetzler and Qualls will all see time in the outfield.

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