Republic’s baseball team begins a new season with several key positions to fill, but with players who understand what success looks like after watching the program’s progress in recent years.
“We’re going to be inexperienced at the varsity level, but these guys have been around it, so they know what it should look like,” said head coach Curt Plotner. “Hopefully they’ll just step right in and we’ll just keep right on going the way that we have been.”
The Tigers have seen 29 players make the JV/varsity roster this season — more than in any previous year — creating both depth and competition at every position. They’ll rely on several returning players to anchor the lineup team, including junior pitcher Preston McCracken.
McCracken consistently throws a fastball clocked in the high 80s and has committed to play at Missouri State University. He returns healthy after an injury-hampered season as a sophomore.
“Last year he got off to a slow start because of his injury and he just never really caught up, but I know he had a really good summer,” Plotner said. “He’s going to be a top-of-the rotation guy for us, and he’s also going to hit in the middle of our lineup. I think we’ll see him a few different places defensively when he’s not on the mound.”
Jackson Overstreet had a breakout season as a junior and will be a big part of the Tigers’ offensive attack in 2025. “Jackson obviously had a great season last year and he’s probably going to be a guy that’s in the middle of our lineup again, anchoring us and playing right field,” Plotner said. Overstreet will probably see more time on the pitching mound this year, as well.
Senior Ryder Davis brings versatility to both the infield and pitching staff, and will likely begin the season in the leadoff spot. “On the mound, his role is going to expand,” Plotner said. “He’s got the versatility to play either of the middle infield positions.”
Senior Mason Fleetwood patrols center field and provides leadership both on and off the field. “Mason is fantastic out in center field. He can really go get it,” Plotner said. “He just goes about his business the right way and is a good example for all of our young players.”
Junior Cooper Pilkinton steps back into the middle of the lineup with a season varsity experience that came earlier for Pilkinton than Plotner expected a year ago. “Cooper was really thrown into that role last year and I don’t think I was really expecting it, and I’m not sure he was expecting it himself,” Plotner said. “He’s just another year mature and he’ll move anywhere on the infield.”
Senior Cannon Ellison moves into a starting pitching role this season after coming out of the bullpen frequently as a junior. “He’s throwing the ball really well this offseason,” Plotner said. “He had some success last year, and I think he’s going to build on that this year more in a starter role.”
Senior Ryder Smith provides a left-handed pitching option who “will keep guys off-balance, and he has swung the bat really well this offseason,” according to Plotner.
Fellow senior Isaac White enters the varsity lineup with power potential. “He can really swing the bat, and last summer he was fantastic,” Plotner said. White may see time at designated hitter, depending on who else is in the starting lineup for a given game.
Senior Carter Murray looks to contribute at first base and on the mound. “Carter is a guy that we can count on out of the bullpen. He will see some time at first base. He stepped in last year in the championship game of that Sedalia tournament and had a big hit for us,” Plotner said.
Senior Nolan Coble brings experience to the corner infield spots and could see mound time. “He’s always swung the bat pretty well, so he may find himself in some DH opportunities,” Plotner said.
Junior Kyler Tate’s durability makes him valuable on the pitching staff. “He gets a little bit better every year. He can pitch out of the bullpen maybe on Tuesday, Thursday. And then if you’ve got a game on Saturday he can come back and start,” Plotner said. “He’s got a rubber arm and he can give you multiple appearances in a week.”
Junior Gabe Wasson gives the Tigers another physical presence in the lineup. “Gabe’s a big physical kid and he runs well. He’s primarily been playing first base. He could move into the outfield if he had to, but swung the bat really well in the off season,” Plotner said.
Sophomore Landon Perkins takes over behind the plate after getting experience last season. “He got thrown into it last year when Wyatt (Woods) was hurt and did a really good job,” Plotner said. “He catches and throws well, frames, receives. And so he’s got a huge upside.” The catching position features improved depth this season with Evan Rockhill and freshman Nolan Lashley backing up Perkins, giving the Tigers options they didn’t have last year.
Sophomore Gio Clark gives the Tigers a talented option in the outfield. “He’s a really gifted player,” Plotner said. “He can run, he swings the bat really well. When Jackson… or Cannon goes to the mound, he can… fill in, and we don’t lose a whole lot.”
Sophomore Brennan Overstreet has caught coaches’ attention during preseason workouts, and he could see varsity time.
Plotner expects growing pains early because of the difficulty of the schedule, but believes that will pay off later this spring. “I think maybe that inexperience at the varsity level — early, especially — is going to catch up to us there with some of the games that we’re playing,” Plotner said. “Our goal is to just get better each game throughout the year until we get to the postseason.”
The Tigers open their season this afternoon against Springfield Hillcrest.
