Kelly baseball set to reload for another successful season

The Kelly baseball team looks to continue competing for championships this season.

The Hawks expect to reload, not rebuild under first-year coach Josh Hopkins.

“Kelly graduated some great ball players from last year that set the bar extremely high during their careers,’ Hopkins said. “But our guys have slid into their new roles nicely. They are excited for an opportunity to step in and fill their shoes.”

Dalton Forck slides in safe after stealing second base during Kelly's five-inning 10-0 win over Bell City at Kelly High School on Tuesday, April 12. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Seniors Drew Klipfel, Colton Essner, Mason Eubanks, juniors Dalton Forck, Reece Eftink, Nicholas Christian, Cooper Schackles, and sophomores Ross Peters and Jett Hull are expected to be the team’s top contributors.

Klipfel is the leader of the outfield, an offensive leader, and a veteran arm on the mound. Eisner is another offensive leader and a veteran skilled infielder.

Eubanks is an experienced catcher with a big arm and bat, and Forck has a powerful left-handed arm and a big bat.

Drew Klipfel celebrates after a strikeout during Kelly's 15-5 win over Sikeston at VFW Stadium in Sikeston on Wednesday, March 23. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Eftink, a corner outfielder, also had a big arm and bat.

Christian had a strong arm and a powerful bat. Peters is a smooth left-handed outfielder with a powerful southpaw arm on the mound, and Hull is a big sophomore with a lot of valuable experience already and is looking for even bigger things this year.

Chaffee senior transfer Michael Dollins is also expected to contribute.

Mason Eubanks catches a strike during Kelly's five-inning 10-0 win over Bell City at Kelly High School on Tuesday, April 12. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Dollins is a slicking fielding middle infielder with another powerful bat.

Kelly hosts Kennett in its season opener on Saturday, March 18.

“Our kids at Kelly are eager to be back on the field,” Hopkins said. “They feel as if there were opportunities missed last year. We expect to have a successful year. Our guys continued high expectations of working hard through practice as individuals and as a team will determine how successful we are.”