2023 Baseball Magazine Preview | Page 104

The Paragould Rams baseball team is looking to make big improvements in 2023 . The Rams suffered through a 5- 25 record in a brutal 5A East Conference and hope to even up that record a little more . Coach Jacob Giles lists a couple of keys to begin that journey , “ For us to be successful this season , we need to stay focused on what we can control and play to our capabilities every day . Play our game and I think we will be fine .” All but one starter returns for Paragould , which means most of the players will have valuable experience going into the season . Coach Giles added , “ We will return every starter but our right fielder . We were extremely young last year starting three freshmen and five sophomores at times . We should be stronger in nearly every facet of the game .” Senior Camden Gramling will return behind the plate as the starting catcher , while fellow senior Chris Jordan will be a conference starting pitcher and play shortstop . Sophomore Parker Thompson will split time at short with Jordan and most likely be the other conference starter on the mound . Some new faces will move up to help the Rams with depth . “ We ' ve added a solid group of freshmen as well as new players from our school . Most will fill in as role players with a couple of them working to move into the starting lineup ,” Coach Jiles explained . NEA Sports predicts some improvement with the Paragould Rams , but still face some struggles inside one of the toughest baseball conferences in the state .

The Paragould Lady Rams will have to rely on some freshmen to plug a few holes in order for the team to return to the state tournament . Paragould fell in the first-round last year after a 12-10 season . Coach Marty Williford does have several Lady Rams returning including seniors Kayleene Roe and Hadlee DeFries . Roe , the all-state catcher , was great behind the plate showing her strong arm . She will likely hit third and be counted on to help generate runs . Defries is a middle infielder who was all-state tournament to end the year . She is a switch hitter with great speed and a great glove . Junior Lauren Stanley will be back in the circle for PHS . The lefty throws in the mid to upper 50s with great control . She will play first base when she ’ s not pitching and bat near the top of the lineup . KK Massey will help provide depth to the pitching staff . The righty just began pitching last year and is a great option for a game two conference starter with her speed . Her progress from last season has been phenomenal . Sophomore first baseman Molly McPherson has a great bat and will likely bat fourth in the lineup . A number of new faces will have to step up . Madi Lanston ’ s bat has progressed in the offseason and could help in the lineup , and Shelby Messer is another player that has impressed in the fall . Freshmen Hadley Luke and Madison Farmer are great athletes that could make huge impacts . One focus for Coach Williford is generating runs , “ We will have to produce runs from the whole lineup , when one part is struggling the other part will have to pick up the slack . Defense will look different , but we have added some freshmen who should come in and help ,” he explained . Even with some youth in the lineup , NEA Sports predicts Paragould to battle for one of those top four spots in the tough 5A East and return to the state tournament .

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