Baseball team hopes for another strong year

The Siloam Springs baseball program crashed through the barrier in 2016, and third-year head coach Alan Hardcastle is looking for even more in 2017.

After totaling eight wins combined in 2013, 2014 and 2015, the Panthers racked up 12 wins in 2016 and advanced to the Class 6A state tournament, where their season ended with a 6-4 loss in eight innings in the opening round to Lake Hamilton.

Siloam Springs finished with a record of 12-16, its best in several years.

"I feel like we're heading in a different direction since last year," Hardcastle said. "The first year was tough. The second year got easier. This year the kids are buying in more and more. I feel like we're going to have another outstanding year and top the 12 wins we had last year."

The Panthers return a strong nucleus of seniors that helped play a role in last year's success.

Dawson Armstrong, Chandler Cook, Josh Hunt, Chance Junkermann and Eli Hawbaker all started for the Panthers in various roles a year ago and will be depended on heavily this season.

Armstrong was an All-Conference selection after producing an outstanding season on the mound and at the plate.

Armstrong was the Panthers' top pitcher as the left-hander went 5-2 with a 2.24 ERA in 40.2 innings. Armstrong earned conference wins against Greenwood and Alma to help the Panthers qualify for the postseason.

"I think he's going to be dominant," Hardcastle said of Armstrong. "It's going to be tough to beat him. He doesn't have the velocity maybe of someone else, but he's crafty. He's got three good pitches. He mixes things up really well. He's a good smart pitcher."

Armstrong was also one of the Panthers' top bats in the lineup. His .352 batting average (32 of 91) and 21 RBIs led the team and he scored 19 runs.

"He batted over .400 for half the season if not a little more than half the season," Hardcastle said. "Just had a solid year last year. If we could have had two all-state last year, Dawson would have been the other one. It was neck-and-neck with him and Zac (Bolstad) last year. I definitely think he'll be all-state this year. He's going to turn a lot of heads. People are going to want him on their team next year at the next level. Looking for good things from him this year."

Armstrong is penciled in as the Panthers' top pitcher and will play center field when he's not pitching.

Cook is a four-year starter for Siloam Springs, having played a role in some capacity since his freshman year.

Cook hit .250 last year with one home run and 15 RBIs and 19 runs scored.

On the mound he went 2-3 with a 3.39 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 31 innings.

Cook is expected to hit leadoff for the Panthers and be used in a closer-type role on the mound. Cook's top velocity is in the upper 80s (mph) range and Hardcastle said he touched 90 mph last summer.

Most of the time, Cook will be playing shortstop after spending the last two years at third base.

Hardcastle said the Panthers hope to take advantage of Cook's speed and athleticism.

"He's got power. He can hit for average. He can bunt if he needs to," Hardcastle said. "He's not your typical leadoff guy as far as walks, but he's going to get on base a lot. He's going to play shortstop, and then we're going to use him as a closer for most of the year and start him on the weekends or other games. We really feel like we can bring him in the sixth or seventh inning and shut those games down in conference."

Junkermann is another four-year veteran for the Panthers.

He's pitched as a freshman, sophomore and junior, logging 22.2 innings a year ago in 10 appearances.

Junkermann, another southpaw, is expected to be the Panthers' No. 2 starter in the rotation.

"He's a kid that can throw and throw and throw," Hardcastle said.

When he isn't pitching, Junkermann is a candidate to play first base and should hit in the middle of the Panthers' lineup.

Last year Junkermann hit a home run with 11 RBIs though he didn't hit for high average.

"He's been working hard in the batting cage," Hardcastle said. "You're going to see a different hitter this year."

"He's got a big heart and he's been working hard. He's looking to drive the ball out of the ballpark this year. It's going to be fun to watch him this year."

Hunt played first base and pitched some last year for Siloam Springs. He'll join the baseball team once he's completed his time with the Siloam Springs basketball team, where he's led the Panthers in scoring.

"He's doing great in basketball and it's exciting," Hardcastle said. "To do what he's done in basketball this year, I feel like he's going to roll over into baseball."

Hunt will play both corner infield positions and once again be asked to help out on the mound.

"He's a big, tall kid (6-foot-4)," Hardcastle said. "He's looking to go on and play next year at the next level too."

Hawbaker played in the outfield, infield and on the mound for Siloam Springs. This year he'll start the season at second base and possibly bat in the two-hole for the Panthers.

"Great attitude," Hardcastle said. "He'll play multiple positions. He's going to pitch some too. Just again, another great senior for this team this year."

The Panthers are excited about several underclassmen who are expected to contribute.

Freshman Taylor Pool is penciled in to start at catcher.

"He's going to be catching all these older guys," Hardcastle said. "He's looking good behind the plate. He's got a good arm. He knows baseball. He's one of the first kids there (at practice) and last to leave."

Hardcastle said Pool hits him up on the weekends even to get extra work in.

"He wears me out," he said. "He's always wanting to practice practice practice. He's one to watch as a freshman."

Another freshman who will help out is Tanner Broyles, who can play all three outfield positions.

"Broyles is going to help out," Hardcastle said. "When Dawson's pitching, we're going to need help in the outfield. We've got others that are going to help out also. It could be a little merry-go-round out there."

Junior Landon Nickell played some last year as a sophomore and is expected to help out in the infield and on the mound.

Sophomore L.T. Ellis missed most of last baseball season after suffering a knee injury, but he'll help out in the infield, outfield and on the mound after he joins the team at the conclusion of basketball.

Another note on Pool, Broyles and Ellis is they all play quarterback for the Siloam Springs football team.

Sophomore Chance Hilburn will get some opportunities to catch and play some third base. He had a solid Maroon-Gray scrimmage, Hardcastle said.

A.J. Serrano is another sophomore who can play both infield positions and help at the plate.

Junior Jacob Rowe could see roles behind the plate and in the infield and sophomore Baron Meek has impressed the coaches.

Other varsity players include freshmen Reed Willbanks (infielder/pitcher), Isaac Price (infielder/pitcher), Josh Galkiewicz (outfielder) and juniors Nolan Wallis (outfielder/catcher), Jackson Knight (infielder), Dalton Green (infielder/pitcher), Tristan Moose (outfielder) and Dalton Marsh (pitcher/infielder.)

"We're going to have guys that if we need a pinch hitter, we've got a pinch hitter," Hardcastle said. "You may see different lineups throughout the year, until we settle one. We're going to go with the hot guys."

The Panthers are scheduled to play a benefit game at Rogers Heritage today and then play at Gentry on Tuesday in their season opener.

"We've got a lot of juniors that are going to have an opportunity to contribute," Hardcastle said. "Maybe pitching, maybe hitting, pinch running. I'm excited about the year. It's going to be another exciting year for Siloam Springs baseball."