Jackson Baseball: Top 3 players behind Indians' hot start

After claiming third place in the state during Josh Roach’s first year as head coach, it was only natural to speculate whether or not Year 2 would come with a drop-off.

How could one not think that when the Indians graduated eight college-bound players, especially Missouri State freshman Caden Bogenpohl and St. Louis freshman Baden Hackworth?

However, after winning seven of their first nine games of the season, the Indians have proven to be as powerful as ever. They start the month with an 11-1 win over Oakville and are three games into a 10-game homestand.

“We’re trying to create an environment where it's more difficult in practice than it is in the game,” Roach said. “It was interesting because a lot of the hitters said that they felt like the game was a little bit slower.”

On a team with many standouts, here are three players who have the largest impact on the Indians so far this season.

__Cooper Rhodes__

Junior outfielder Cooper Rhodes is the last remaining starter from last year’s team and has been front and center in the Indians’ current offensive success. The leadoff hitter is currently batting .333 (7-for-21) with eight RBIs including a home run during the Indians’ 12-1 win over Ft. Zumwalt North on March 16.

“Cooper is just a great leader,” Roach said earlier in the season. “At the plate, he is a fantastic hitter. He’s one of the best hitters in Missouri, in my opinion, and he does a really good job in the field.”

__Carson McDaniel__

Senior pitcher John-Paul Sauer, a Tulane commit, is set to make his season debut soon after recovering from an injury sustained during the football season. In the meantime, Carson McDaniel has filled the role as the Indians’ ace. The senior has struck out 22 batters in 17 innings while allowing five runs, one earned, on 11 hits over four outings.

“Carson did exactly what Carson has done the past year and a half in last season and now this season,” Roach said.

__Garrison Brown__

Garrison Brown is another hitter who has emerged as a blistering bat in the lineup. Although the senior centerfielder is usually at the bottom of the lineup, he is batting .500 (8-for-16) with two triples, a double, and a three-run home run that cleared the left field fence on Monday.

__Up Next__

After renewing their rivalry with Notre Dame, the Indians will host Vianney on Wednesday (4:30 p.m.), and a double-header on Saturday against Ft. Zumwalt West (10 a.m.) and Ozark (3 p.m.).