Moberly prepares for another big season

Kris Childs

The Moberly High School baseball team is coming off their best season they have ever had since baseball was brought to Moberly 31 years ago. Last year the Spartans finished 16-8 and tied for second in NCMC.

Moberly is looking to continue the success by returning six starters from last year. They will have to replace their starting third baseman, shortstop, and first baseman but head coach Warren Seitz feels everything is under control as he has already filled the empty spots from the graduating class.

Senior Grayden Pretz will be taking over the duties at shortstop this season, Grayden played the majority of the time in center field last year but coach Seitz feels that with Grayden’s ability and athleticism he should be able to make the switch relatively smoothly.

Senior Derek Fletcher will be returning as the teams starting catcher. Fletcher, a two time all-conference player also an all-district player last year, coach Seitz says “I think he’ll be an outstanding player for us this year.”

Moberly is bringing back their number one pitcher from a year ago in Tegan Seitz. Tegan started some at third and short last year giving him some experience at the hot corner so coach Seitz may turn to him to defend third base this year along with heading up their rotation.

Coach Seitz is expecting the same, if not better, results out of his six returning players and Junior Corey Embree is no exception.

“Corey plays center field and leads us in home runs a season ago with six so we’re looking for a big year out of him.” Coach said. “A couple players that really need to have big years for us to be successful would be Dylan Huffman in a pitching role and playing outfielder… and Jordan Connaway who’s going to play second base, a real good second baseman who is returning. I think he’ll have to have a big year as well.”

When asked about any season goals he has set for his team Coach Seitz stated, “Our goal would be to do well in the league and the district. Our league is very competitive. Boonville is going to have a good team, Kirksville and Hannibal always have a good team. Fulton got fourth in the state last year so we’ll have to play well to do well but I think we have the potential to do that.”

Moberly will play their first conference game on Friday the 26th when they play Kirksville at home at 5 p.m.