Cape Central baseball gearing up for 2024 season

After a 14-16 campaign in 2023, the Cape Central Tigers are looking to bounce back.

The hope of bouncing back however will be hindered to start as the Tigers enter 2024 banged up on the injury front.

Despite graduating five seniors, the Tigers still return some key pieces.

“Guys are really excited,” Tigers coach Justin Lieser said. “We bring back quite a few guys from last year. We did lose five seniors that will be tough to replace but we have guys here that are anxious and ready for the season.”

Perhaps the most important returning pieces will be in the starting rotation with Jathan Spain and Chapman Ogles.

“We have a very, very deep sophomore class,” Lieser said. “That includes Jathan and Chapman who will be in our rotation.”

Some other key returners for the Tigers include TJ Klipfel, Connor Davidson, Gavin and Deklin Pittman, Caden Chenoweth, Jackson Witvoet, Brayden Meade, Christian McNew and Hayden Bowers.

On top of the returners, Lieser had high praise for the way his freshman class has looked in the preseason.

“They’ve picked up really quick on what we’re trying to do,” Lieser said.

Making the jump to varsity baseball from any level can be difficult but Lieser said it can be done.

“It can be a bit of a difference but it depends on the maturity level of the player,” Lieser said. “Last year we relied on Jathan (Spain) quite a bit as a freshman and he was able to handle it.”

When looking at holes that need to be filled from last season, there isn’t a more glaring void left than the one left at catcher with the graduation of Carter Crosnoe.

“Christian McNew, who was going to be one of the catchers, broke his toe,” Lieser said. “So, here early on Connor Poole is going to get a test. He’s a great kid, he works hard, he’s willing to learn, he’s coachable and he’s vocal. We’re going to throw him into the fire with the pitching staff that we have.”

The Tigers will open the 2024 season at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 15, when they host Sikeston.

Following that, the Tigers play a busy schedule that will provide an early test to the strength of their rotation.

“We’ve already set some guys into certain roles,” Lieser said. “We have so many games early on in the season that we want to see how they do in those roles.”

Some important dates in 2024 for the Tigers include the Jefferson City Showcase on April 5 and 6, the Wood Bat Showcase on April 19 and 20 and the SEMO Conference Tournament from April 26-29.