Monett excited for fresh start, redemption

By Jared Lankford monettsports@gmail.com

An 11-11 campaign for the Monett baseball team ended with in a district semifinal loss to Aurora last season, and while the bitter taste of a defeat to its rival was a tough pill to chew on all off-season, the 2024-25 season brings a chance at a fresh start and redemption.

“I am excited about the youthful experience we have coming back this spring,” said Michael Calhoun, Monett coach. “We have a lot of young men who got valuable experience and reps in varsity games and situations last year. Now, with many of their roles expanding, I am excited to see who emerges into what role on our team. 

“Last year’s season was up and down at times. I look for more consistency throughout our lineup, on the mound and defensively, to hopefully help us get to the next level.”

The Cubs lost two big contributors from last year’s squad due to graduation in All-State catcher Evan Witt, who hit .408 with 22 RBI, and All-State pitcher Alex Huntress who was 5-4, with a 3.63 ERA.

Despite the loss of two key cogs, there is plenty of reason for hope and optimism for the Cubs as they return six starters to the lineup: Aiden Clapper and Landyn Brandt, seniors; Braden Cendroski, Colin Umfleet and Miles Young, juniors; and Dylan Washick, sophomore.

Clapper went 3-2 on the mound for the Cubs last year with a 2.58 ERA. He hit .365 with 16 RBI.

“Aidan will be our center fielder when he is not on the mound,” Calhoun said. “He has turned himself into an excellent pitcher and he is one of our best offensive players.”

For his efforts, Clapper earned All-Conference and All-District accolades.

“I’m really proud of the way in which everyone has grown the past couple of years,” Clapper said. “Every guy has gotten better, both individually and as teammates. In my eyes, the sky’s the limit for us as a team.”

Brandt hit .289 as a junior and led the team with six stolen bases last season. He will likely return to his familiar sport in right field.

“Landyn has done a really good job in the outfield for us,” Calhoun said. “I see him being able to be one of the best defensive outfielders in our conference and look forward to him continuing to improve as an offensive player.”

Brandt has set his goals high for the coming season, as well.

“I am looking forward to this upcoming season because of the growth our team made last year,” he said. “I felt like as a team, we really came together like a family. Being my senior year, I am hungry to get another district championship and make a run in the playoffs.”

Cendroski was a Second-Team All-Conference selection at second base last season. As a junior he hit .254 with 9 RBI.

“Braden has really good bat-to-ball skills and will be a good hitter for us this season,” Calhoun said. “Defensively, I see him working all-around, but could stick at second base. He will also be a contributor on the mound.”

Umfleet collected 12 hits for the Cubs last season, including four doubles, and Monett expects his productivity only to increase this year.

“Collin will be in the outfield this season,” Calhoun said. “He has a skillset in which I can see him being a doubles machine and being a spark plug in our lineup with his combination of potential power and speed.”

Young, a Second Team All-Conference and All-District performer, returns to the shortstop position and is also expected to increase his role on the mound. Last year, as a sophomore, he hit .366 with 14 RBI and 5 stolen bases. On the mound, he was 1-1 with 2 saves and a 3.54 ERA.

“Miles is a two-year starter,” Calhoun said. “He will get a lot of innings on the mound. He will be one of our top hitters and the engine that makes our offense be successful.”

Washick earned 2 saves for the Cubs last season on the mound and went 1-1 as a freshman pitcher. Calhoun thinks that he will be a big factor for Monett on the mound this season.

Michael Privett, a senior, and Tucker Anderson, a junior, will also battle for varsity time this year.

Privett has a chance to chew up innings on the mound, while Anderson is the leading candidate to be the Cubs’ everyday catcher.

“Tucker will be competing and has a great opportunity to be our starting catcher,” Calhoun said. “He has improved over his last two seasons, and I am excited to see how he can contribute both offensively and behind the plate.”

Calhoun said the Cubs will look to last year’s returning junior varsity players to step up and fill the varsity roster. Those players include: Xavier Garcia, Logan Cole, Christopher Calhoun, Adam Martinez, Seth Denney, Truman Zinn, Urijah Riggs, Braiden Castor, Brayden Seitz, Carson Burtrum, and Matthew Semerad.

“We will be a team that will be fundamentally sound and work to do the best we can for all 21 outs,” Calhoun said. “Each and every game we play — win or lose — we want to work as hard as we can to best represent ourselves, our school and our community. Every game during conference play will be a challenge, and I look forward to us competing and continuing to grow as a team and program.

The Cubs open the season on March 21 at home against Southwest.