Appleknocker baseball team has two seniors

The Cobden High School baseball team will have a young team this season, with only two seniors on the squad.

“We’re really young, with two seniors,” Cobden coach Jared Clutts said. “But we have a lot of talent and a lot of kids that can play.”

Six starters return from last year’s 13-10 squad to build around this season.

The lone senior returning starter is shortstop-pitcher John Russell.

Junior starters returning are third baseman/pitcher Bayden Ditterline, first baseman/catcher/pitcher Zane Nance, outfielders/pitchers Cody Weiseman and Chandler West and sophomore infielder/pitcher Landon Britt.

The other senior on the squad is outfielder Chandler Edwards.

Juniors who could contribute are catcher Bryce Reynolds, first baseman Brayden Clark and infielder/pitcher Jase Hutchason. 

Sophomores are middle infielder/catcher/pitcher Josh Burgess; infielder/outfielder Carlos Morales; right fielder/pitcher Clayton Flamm; outfielders Alex Kinsey, Christian Goines, Dylan Barr and Dylan Lewey; and outfielder/pitcher Alex Remsey.

Freshmen who could see action are outfielder/first baseman/pitcher Noah Franklin and outfielder Riley Gearhart.

“We have more speed than last year,” Clutts said. “They’ve been working hard in practice and everything is starting to come together. We definitely have potential.”

Last fall, the Appleknockers defeated everyone in the South  Egyptian Conference twice and tied Egyptian once.

“We’re starting to get better and we’re maturing,” Clutts said. “It’s time now to get it all together.”

Cobden is scheduled to open its season Friday at Murphysboro and plays Saturday at Carterville. The Appleknockers are scheduled to start conference play Monday at Joppa.