Bulldogs' bench has prepared for this moment and is 'ready'

PORTAGEVILLE – There is no shortage of talent and experience mixed throughout the starting nine of the Bootheel-power Portageville High School baseball squad this season (or recent seasons, for that matter). However, a dynamic that has allowed those regulars to perform at their potential this spring has often been that a group of guys on the bench have been giving seventh-year Bulldog coach Tyler Trover comfortable options to utilize.

“We’ve actually had to deal with some injuries (this year),” Trover said, “which is not something that we have had to deal with much. That is just part of it. But what has been neat about it is that it has been ‘The next guy up.’”

The Class 3 No. 1-ranked Bulldogs (34-2) will make their second consecutive appearance at the MSHSAA State Finals today, this time in the Class 3 semifinals, as opposed to last year’s trip in Class 2.

Portageville will face No. 5-ranked South Callaway (23-7) at 10 a.m. at US Ballpark in Ozark.

That emergence of young talent is no more noticeable than the emergence of sophomore catcher Jayquan Bogan, who became so proficient behind the plate, that Trover has made him a regular, which has allowed the Bulldogs’ ace pitcher, senior Trey Benthal, to NOT have to wear himself down serving as a catcher all of the time, as he did earlier in his career.

“It has surprised me a little bit,” Trover said of Bogan’s play. “We put a huge premium on catching. It’s an important position.”

Trover said that Bogan “has improved his body tremendously in the weight room,” which has been critical to his success AT the plate, as well as BEHIND the plate.

Trover also noted that Jayquan’s brother, sophomore Xayvion Bogan, “have both matured so much since last year.”

“They are so mentally tough,” Trover added. “They are what I call ‘dirtbags.’ They are always dirty. They are always sliding. They are always diving. They are always sticking their nose in there, and they’re not afraid.”

Xayvion has found his way into the offensive nine while filling roles all over the field, defensively.

He has been penciled in as a designated hitter but has the athleticism to play left field or either of the middle infield positions.

Another pair of sophomore brothers, Rylan and Huston Partin, have also proven invaluable.

Ryan can play left field, while Huston is 4-0 this season in four starts on the mound but can also fill in at third base.

“We just plug that next guy in,” Trover said, “and they have all found a way to get the job done. We have had to get creative.”

One reserve, who most recently absolutely “got the job done,” is sophomore first baseman/designated hitter, Owen Roberts.

In a 6-5 sectional thriller over Scott City, it was Roberts, who connected on a pitch, reaching on an error, on the play that scored senior Thomas Frakes, which was the winning run.

“It’s not just that it’s depth,” Trover said, “our depth is very talented.”

Against West County in the quarterfinal win, Roberts added a hit and an RBI.

“These sophomores are pretty talented,” Trover said.

Even an older player, such as senior Luke Moylan, has found his role off the bench, as he has played some left field and served as a designated hitter.

The Portageville roster includes eight freshmen, 10 sophomores, and six juniors, to go with the three seniors. To get all of those young athletes some experience, Trover, who also serves as the Bulldogs’ athletic director, scheduled 17 junior varsity games this spring.

“We played a bunch of them,” Trover said of the junior varsity schedule. “But we have also tried to rotate them in and give them that varsity experience. So, if we have a moment like we are dealing with now, where we do have some injuries, then these guys are ready.”