Alexander sets bar high for Bronaugh baseball program

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Despite opening its season with a 15-5 home loss to Exeter on Tuesday, second-year Bronaugh Wildcats' head baseball coach Jerrod Alexander couldn't be more excited about the 2017 season.

"I expect our team to compete and have fun every time that we step on the baseball field," Alexander told the Daily Mail. "We have high expectations in everything that we do from the classroom to the practice field ---- the game field to everything that we do off of the field as well."

Bronaugh's top returning player is senior shortstop Joe Mader, who garnered All-Conference and All-District accolades a season ago, as the Wildcats concluded the 2016 season 4-9 overall and 3-2 in the Golden Valley Vernon County Conference.

"We are much improved over last years team," Alexander asserted. "Last year was our first year in the program and we spent a lot of time and energy on the simplest fundamentals of the game."

Key losses for Bronaugh from last season's team, are Gabe McIntire, an All-Conference infielder, and All-District selection Justin Hudson.

"Losing seniors is always tough," Alexander said. "They were tremendous leaders for us and had a very positive impact on our program."

Alexander said several players stepped up during early season practices as they look to fill the void left by McIntire and Hudson.

"When we started practice this season it was awesome to see how much we were already improved (upon) from last year," he said. "Our kids work hard to get better as well as take advantage of their opportunities to get better at practice."

Alexander continued: "Though we aren't quite to the level that we think we can reach, we are much improved and I expect us to keep growing and building upon the solid foundation that we have set from year one."

Alexander said one of Bronaugh's strengths is its overall team speed.

"Last year we had a lot of success on the bases," he said. "I look for us to continue that success this season and make some things happen by putting pressure on the defense by putting the ball in play and being active on the basepaths."

Alexander added that he expects to have a solid pitching rotation.

Bronaugh's Joe Mader delivers during a 2016 contest. (Photo by Matt Resnick/Daily Mail)

"At the front of our rotation are two guys that I think are two of the better arms in our league (seniors Mader and Koltin Earnest),"Alexander said. "Behind them we have developed some guys that can come in and throw strikes (Miles Wyland, Austin Gray, Max Ellis, Tyler Strunk, and Chris Rider)."

According to Alexander, the 2017 season has a different feel to it with the implementation of the Missouri State High School Activities Association pitching limit guidelines ---- aimed to curtail arm injuries.

"I think that one important key for us and a lot of teams is being efficient on the mound with the new MSHSAA pitching limits," Alexander said.

Alexander said he is a proponent of the new pitching guidelines, but that he does see some potential drawbacks.

"I do think that these new pitching regulations are a good thing but, it's going to make it hard for small schools to manage (multiple) games in a week," he said. "So, throwing strikes and being efficient on the mound is going to be a big key for us this season."

Season opener

Alexander said his squad had some "opening day jitters" Tuesday evening against Exeter.

"Joe pitched well," he said, "but we didn't make the plays behind him to (back him up). We had multiple errors with two outs in multiple innings that led to Exeter runs. We know where we need to get better and we will get better and keep improving."

The Wildcats return to the diamond Monday for a non-conference road contest with Jasper.

"We are very excited to get this season underway," Alexander said.

"We knew that we played well at the district tournament for six innings last season (against Greenfield) before a rough seventh inning. It allowed us to see that we are capable of playing tough and competing with whoever we are up against. We have been working hard and having fun and are looking to hit our peak when the district tournament rolls around in May."

Wildcats' roster

Seniors: Joe Mader, Koltin Earnest, Tyler Strunk, and Joe Terry. Juniors: Austin Gray, Brad Evans, Max Ellis, Dallas McIntire, Issac Weaver, and Miles Wyland. Sophomores: Eli Satterfield, Michael Hartman, and Angus Ray. Freshman: Carson Gray and Chris Rider.

"Assistant coach 'A' (Jamie Alexander) and myself really love this team and these kids," Alexander said. "They are a lot of fun to be around and they do a good job of keeping us on our toes."

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