The Greene County Tech Golden Eagles finished last season 19-9 losing a heartbreaker in the first round of the 5A state tournament. Coach Bruce Hunt hopes that a large group of returners and a talented group of youngsters will make a deeper push in the postseason. All-State pitcher and outfielder Brodie Ryan returns after a good sophomore season. Ryan went 6-2 on the mound with a 1.82 ERA and a. 506 on-base percentage. All- Conference selection Kannon Ring is also back after hitting. 392 and posting a 2.94 ERA on the bump. Ring could catch or play the infield when not pitching. Jude Stewart is another All-Conference player who returns for GCT. Stewart went 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA for the Eagles, while fellow All-conference pick Tucker Beasley posted a 4.39 ERA while hitting. 260 last season. Juniors Kason Scott and Keyton Watson return to the Tech lineup. Scott hit. 284 with a. 417 OBP, while Watson recorded an on-base percentage of. 398. Seniors Hayden Jackson and Jack Williams hope to bring leadership to Coach Hunt’ s squad. Jackson and Williams will be in the outfield, but Jackson could catch some as well. Sophomore Benton Farmer hopes to make a big impact along with a talented group of freshmen. Freshman Brooks Robinson is ranked number two in his class by Arkansas PBR. Robinson is a pitcher and infielder and is hoping to contribute along with classmates Sid Palma, Derek Runyan, Luke Cancilla, and Kyler Willis. Palma and Runyan will pitch some and could be in the outfield, while Cancilla and Willis could see time in the infield. Coach Hunt believes all these youngsters will have a chance to contribute on the varsity level. The Greene County Tech Golden Eagles have built a traditional power on the diamond, and this season looks to add to the tradition. NEA Sports predicts that the Eagles will battle near the top of the tough 5A East, with a chance to return to the state tournament.
The Greene County Tech Lady Eagles have made it a habit of playing deep into the state tournament each year and last year was no different. Coach David Reynolds led his team to a 24-9 record, a share of the 5A East Conference title, and a run to the 5A State semifinals. With several pieces back in the Tech lineup and a few new faces that should fill roles nicely, the Lady Eagles have their sights set on another conference title and taking that next step to a state title. All-State selections Weslyn Burnside, Marley Speer, and Isabelle Matthews all return to lead GCT. Burnside is a three year starter who hit. 388 last season with 29 RBIs. The outfielder could come in to pitch to help out the rotation. Isabelle Matthews will handle the bulk of the pitching, however. Matthews was 13-6 last season with 3 saves posting a 1.93 ERA with 125 strikeouts. She throws four pitches for strikes with velocity in the 60s. Speer is another three year starter at first base. She hit. 384 with six homeruns and 34 RBIs. Callie Newberry will share some time in the circle and play the infield. Newberry was 9-0 with a 1.61 ERA last season showcasing three pitches for strikes and good velocity and great spin on her screwball. At the plate, Newberry hit. 341 with 25 RBIs. Matthews and Newberry create a one-two punch that is daunting for opposing offenses. Jordan Nailing will handle the catching duties for these two pitchers. Nailing hit. 391 with two homeruns and 23 RBIs. Sophia Gonzalez has dynamic speed on the infield and hit. 364 with 22 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Emmy Thomason could be in the infield or outfield whenever needed. Thomason hit. 329 with two homeruns and 20 RBIs. Chaddy Hambrick and Camdyn Gardner are also utility type players that could play infield or outfield. Hambrick hit. 284 with 15 runs batted in and 10 stolen bases, while Gardner hit. 244. Infielder Ally Smith hit. 240 with a homerun and six RBIs and will look to expand on that role. Sophomore Ava Williams saw some time as a freshman, and Coach Reynolds believes that she could see more playing time showcasing her speed. Freshman Charley Richmond, Lucy Berry, Reagan Emerson, and Savannah McMillin could make an impact on the Lady Eagle lineup as well. Coach Reynolds believes this team has a shot.“ We need to stay healthy,” he said.“ I think we have a bunch of competitive kids that all bring a little something different to the group. I really like the make-up of our line-up and pitching staff but have a few jobs that still need to be won.” The expectations for the Greene County Tech Lady Eagles haven’ t changed, nor should they. Tech will be one of the favorites in a tough 5A East, and one of a handful of teams with a chance at a state title. With being so close to it the last few years, GCT hopes this is the year that they can bring the trophy home.
The Hoxie Mustangs and Coach Trevor Shaver are moving into a new conference in hopes of seeing improvement from last season. The Mustangs will move to the 3A-3 conference with a group of experienced returners this season. Logan Light is a second baseman that puts the ball in play for runners to score. On the mound, Light has good control and the ability to locate pitches. Hayden Mcintire is a big bat at first base, while catcher Mattox Glenn puts the ball in play consistently. Robert Martinez, Mack Slaughter, and Christian Nichols will patrol the outfield for Hoxie. Martinez will show speed for the Stangs, while Slaughter has great vision and power at the plate, and he is a left handed pitcher with a good fastball. Nichols could play some infield as well and will be in the Mustang rotation on the mound where he is consistent at throwing strikes. Sophomore Dalton Neely has a great arm at shortstop and will mix in the pitching rotation, while senior PJ Forehand is back after battling injuries last season. Forehand is a leader with good hitting skills and could see some innings on the mound as well. Juniors Dylann Barnhill and Dalen Barnhill should be factors for Hoxie this season. Both are solid right handed arms in the bullpen and good athletes with Dylann playing multiple positions and pitching and Dalen helping out at first base. Freshman Colby Bullard is a left handed pitcher that could play some outfield and contribute at the plate as a good contact hitter with sneaky power.“ The depth of the pitching rotation this year will be a strength for us to build on,” Coach Shaver said.“ Understanding situational baseball as well as limiting mistakes and errors will be our key to success.” The 3A-3 will be a tough baseball conference, but the Hoxie Mustangs are ready to compete and maybe surprise some people.