The Batesville Lady Pioneers will have a lot of new faces on the diamond this season in hopes of improving from last year. Coach Garrett Eoff believes that could be a positive for his club, however.“ We will have multiple newcomers to the line-up this year,” Coach Eoff said.” Our youth and eagerness to learn will be a positive for us this season.” A few players are back to lead the way for the Lady Pioneers. Kailan Thomas is a utility player that could play multiple positions, while Kinley Vogeltaz will help behind the plate and in the field. Addison Fletcher is back and could be in either corner of the infield at first or third base. The Batesville newcomers should make a big impact to the lineup. Shaylee Horton is a solid hitter that will be behind the plate catching a lot but can also play in the field. Addilyn Bookout will have to handle the bulk of the pitching duties with no returning pitching back for the Lady Pioneers. Bookout is also a good hitter and good fielder. The battery of Horton and Bookout should make huge contributions early and often this season. The Batesville Lady Pioneers should show some improvement this year with some new faces helping out. Look for them to compete at a higher level in the always daunting 5A East.
The Batesville Pioneers enjoyed a 21-11 record last season and earned a trip to the state tournament where they fell in the first round. Coach Tony Roepcke and his team are looking to get back to the postseason and make a little more noise this time around. The Pioneers have the pieces to do it with a talented bunch of players returning with experience, a deep pitching staff, and some newcomers that could fill some roles. Senior Cale Glasgow is back after missing most of last season recovering from ACL surgery. Cale will be at a new position behind the plate and be a key contributor on the mound where he has a mid 80s fastball. Brecken Glascow is back as a three year starter in the outfield. Brecken has good speed in the middle of the Pioneer lineup and a good arm in the field and on the mound. Junior Cole Bentz can play any infield spot and deliver at the plate. Bentz hit. 340 last year and for the team lead in homeruns. On the mound, Bentz has a mid 80s fastball and throws from multiple arm slots. Classmate Dester Chapman has seen an increase in velocity on his fastball and should add depth to the bullpen while also playing first base and outfield. Chapman had a. 450 on base percentage as a freshman and is looking to be a run generator once again. Sophomore Gabe Bledsoe earned All-State Tournament as a freshman and had a great summer. Bledsoe has a mid 80s fastball on the mound and will patrol the outfield for Batesville. Sophomore Jake Daugherty will be at short after learning a lot from All-Everything Connor Cunningham last season. He will be an everyday starter after starting halfway through last season and help on the mound as well. Landon Box and Colin McCuiston will factor in the rotation as well, adding depth to the Pioneer pitching staff. Freshmen Hayes Kibe and Ty Reynolds could fill some much needed roles this season. Kibe is a hard nosed kid that can pitch or be a utility guy, while Reynolds has a chance to be a special player with a lot of grit and determination. Coach Roepcke says this is a tight knit group that loves playing together. He feels if they can stay healthy, make routine plays, be tough in the box, and the pitching staff can show command with their fastballs, they will have a chance to be successful. Look for the Batesville Pioneers to be a major player once again in the 5A East and earn a trip back to the postseason.