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2011 NEOSHO COUNTY BASEBALL PREVIEW
Snow still covers the ground in Chanute, but opening day for the Neosho County Panthers is right around the corner. The Panthers are set to open the 2011 season on February 16 when Brown Mackie Community College visits Hudson Field. There will be many familiar faces on the field for the Panthers this season as five hitters return, including four who earned All-Conference honors in 2010. On the mound, however the Panthers will have a much different look as only 3 pitchers return that saw mound time last season. The 2011 roster consists of 8 sophomores and 23 freshmen.
The schedule is once again a tough one as the Panthers will play 16 games against teams ranked in preseason NJCAA poll including a pair against defending national champion Iowa Western Community College on February 18. The Jayhawk Conference season will have a much different feel for the 2011 season as the conference has changed to a 4 game weekend series.
Behind the Plate
Tommy Keith (Norman, OK) returns for his sophomore season after earning all conference honors in 2010. Keith is a solid defensive catcher who will likely split time with incoming freshman Tyler Palmer (El Reno, OK). Palmer is also a good defensive catcher who will hit in the middle of the order and could also see time at first base or as a designated hitter. Freshman Jordan Musto (Tulsa, OK) handles the bat very well and could also see action behind the plate as well as a designated hitter or right handed bat off the bench.
Around the Infield
The middle of the diamond will look just like it did last year to Panther fans as sophomores Eric Dawson (Olathe, KS) and Austen Colt (Owasso, OK) will man shortstop and second base. Dawson who earned all conference honors as a second baseman in 2010 made the move to shortstop late in the season and will remain there for the 2011 season. His double play partner, Colt, started last season as the Panthers shortstop but made a move late in the year to second and it paid dividends as he caught fire at the plate to end the season.
At first base, freshman two-way player, Adam Giacalone (Shawnee, KS) looks to be the everyday first baseman and hit in the middle of the order. Sophomore Nick Doughty (Raytown, MO) will likely be the everyday designated hitter this year, but split time at first last season and could see time there again this year when Giacalone pitches.
Third base could see a number of faces early in the year as the coaching staff tries to sort through a talented group of freshman. Garrett Schaede (Owasso, OK), Kas Sanders (Fletcher, OK), and Tanner Cruts (Edmond, OK) will all see time at third early in the season.
In the Outfield
The outfield is will look completely different for the Panthers this season as all 3 starters from last year’s team must be replaced. Jon Pomatto (Osawatomie, KS) will take the place of All-American Cameron Bentley in centerfield. Pomatto is a great athlete who will be a good defender and should steal plenty of bases this season. Freshman Taylor Smith (Fletcher, OK) will back up Pomatto in center and will fill in when Pomatto is on the hill for the Panthers. Smith could also see time at both corner outfield positions.
2010 All Conference first baseman Caleb Compton (Owasso, OK) will make a move to the outfield this season as he will play leftfield and once again hit in the middle of the Panther lineup. Freshmen Chris Jones (Skiatook, OK) looks to start the year as the backup in left field, but could see some time in right field as well.
Right field is another position that the Panthers have plenty of options and a number of players will get a shot to earn the everyday position. Freshmen Alec Naifeh (Sapulpa, OK), Max Ising (Lee’s Summit, MO), Kas Sanders and Tanner Cruts each bring different things to the table both offensively and defensively and give the coaching staff options as to which direction they decide to go.
On the mound
There are plenty of fresh faces on the Panther pitching staff this year. 2010 All Conference selection Ben Jacks (Pryor, OK) is one of only 3 returning letter winners on a pitching staff that includes 17 freshmen. Jacks will lead a promising group of young starting pitchers as they aim for a conference title. Joining him in the starting rotation will be freshmen righties Daniel Peterson (De Soto, KS), Adam Giacalone, and Jon Furlong (Bixby, OK) along with lefties Nick Fowble (Norman, OK) and , Matt Strahm (West Fargo, ND).
In the bullpen
Sophomore Jon Pomatto will anchor a talented group of relievers this season. Pomatto who saw time as both a starter and a reliever last season will pitch at the back end of ball games as either a closer or a set-up man. Joining him late in games will be freshman Tyler Kjellsen (Broken Arrow, OK) who will also set-up or close ballgames. Sophomore Clint Barnes (Sapulpa, OK) and transfer Dalton Cox (Blanchard, OK) give the Panthers a strong right/left match-up combo out of the pen.
The Panthers will have a much deeper bullpen this season than the 2010 version. They have a great crop of young arms that each brings different talents to the table and will allow the coaching staff many options in the middle innings of ballgames. Righties Ethan Ericson (Bronson, KS), Max Ising, Michael Kirkland (Sand Springs, OK), Dalton Majors (Hydro, OK), Kenny McKee (Sapulpa, OK) EJ Merlo (Blue Springs, MO) and Stephen Williams along with lefties Taylor Graham (Girard, KS) and Taylor Smith each continue to grow as pitchers and should provide valuable innings and versatility out of the pen.
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