PREVIEW: Wildcats enter season with talent, know-how
According to new Maquoketa Valley baseball coach Eric Conner, this year’s Wildcat squad isn’t just good – it’s smart too.
It is also experienced, with eight returning starters, 11 overall returning letter-winners, and four returning players who earned all-conference honors a year ago.
“There is a lot of baseball talent and intelligence on this team,” Conner said. “We do a lot of things well, and these guys have been playing baseball together for a long time.”
It’s one of the reasons Conner lists MV among four teams likely to contend for Tri-Rivers Conference honors this year, along with North Linn, Lisbon and Calamus-Wheatland.
“Although the bottom half of the conference is not as strong, there is not a game in which you can just show up and beat a team,” Conner said. “You have to play your best baseball each night to expect to win.”
Among those trying to achieve that goal are returning all-conference players Alex McDowell, a senior catcher and pitcher; Zak Harbach, senior outfielder; Tyson Tucker, junior pitcher and shortstop; and Brock Hillers, junior pitcher and third baseman.
Four additional starters are back: senior Clint Krapfl, and juniors Trevor Elgin, Cole Willenbring and Heath Gibbs. Seniors Kyle Wilson and Colin Wendt are other returning letter-winners, and sophomores Norman Wilson and Jon Seibert are newcomers who appear promising.
Conner is assisted by Dan Cassutt.