Kennett baseball hopes to “keep it rolling” after back-to-back Final Four runs

KENNETT – With a state championship win in 2021 and a third place win last year, there's plenty of excitement surrounding the Kennett baseball program. While the Indians graduated four of their best players last Spring, however, the goal now is to get the pieces in place quickly in order to make another trip to Springfield.

In Kennett head coach Aaron New and assistant coach Ronnie Lewallen's 16th year at the head of the team, they've now made three appearances in the state tournament, their third ending with a third place title in 2011.

“It's just been a good run of kids,” New said. “We've had good talent. Even in the Covid year, we thought we had a chance at a district championship and maybe make a run at a Final Four then, and it kept building from there.”

“Now, it's just about trying to keep it rolling,” he continued. “I think this team has a chance for some postseason success. We just have to get everybody to come together, and we as coaches have to figure out where all the pieces go.”

Kennett will be led by a crop of five seniors with varying degrees of experience: Tanner Pierce, Brooks Nigut, Trey Gardner, Evan Parker and Garren Overbey.

“Nigut, Pierce, and Gardner were starters for us last year,” New said. “Parker and Overbey are working into roles this year. They're both in the role for the DH spot, with some first base time for both of them. They've both been great practice players for us, and hopefully their senior year will be their time to get a little playing time.”

Tanner Pierce takes the place as the “main guy” on the mound for the Indians in his senior year. He's followed by Trey Gardner, but New said he has “high hopes” for a couple of “newcomers” like Hayden Gilmore and Ashton Williams.

Kennett's Tanner Pierce throws the ball during practice Friday, March 10, 2023.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“If we can get guys to throw strikes and figure out how to catch it behind them, I think our pitching staff could be one of our strengths,” New said. “Losing Tanner Duncan, Reece Robinett and JT William on the mound is going to be hard to replace, but we do think we have good depth. We may not be as deep as we were last year, but with our top three our four guys we could get into a playoff and help us win.”

Kennett plays a challenging regular season schedule “by design,” according to New. After all, “Good teams expose you,” he said.

Until then, there are still questions that need to be answered.

“Some new faces are going to be in the lineup this year,” New said. “Last year, we didn't have very many question marks going into the preseason – we knew where the pieces were going to fit – but this year it's a different story.”

“We've figured some out and some are still there,” he continued. “Some guys look good some days, and some look better on others. Once we get into the games and see what happens, it'll start to separate itself out. The key is to figure it out early and give them enough practice time at that position. You don't want to look up in May and say 'We've been playing the wrong guy at first all year long.'”

Kennett players run base-running and outfielding drills during practice Friday, March 10, 2023.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Players are ready to get the season rolling, but while the Indians race to develop some younger players who will certainly see some time on the field this year, others will have to step up to see the same kind of success that the team has had recently.

“I couldn’t have asked anything more of what these guys have done in the preseason,” New said. “They've practiced exactly the way you're supposed to. We've had great attitudes, great hustle, and everything you'd hope for in the preseason the guys have been, so we're excited.”

“We need the time to figure it all out and get them the reps,” he continued, “but I think this team could have a lot of success.”

Kennett opens its season this Friday at home against Brookland High School at 4:30 p.m. They travel to Kelly Saturday and play at 11 a.m.