Fort Scott baseball looks to senior leaders

FORT SCOTT -- One thing Fort Scott High School head baseball coach B.J. Pruitt appreciates is having a senior class to provide leadership for this year's squad, which hopes to begin its season Monday against Nevada at Lions Field, weather permitting.

There are only three seniors out this season, but last year there were none on a team that finished with a 3-16 record. And Pruitt feels that was tough on his team as the juniors had to learn to be leaders without the benefit of a group from which they could learn how to do that.

So far in practice, the leadership has been evident as Pruitt sees his seniors -- Mikey Karleskint, Alex Pemberton and Jeremy Hull -- leading by doing well in practice and showing the younger players how to get better.

"They've really taken the leadership role on this team" Pruitt said. "I think they've bought into what we're doing and they're doing a nice job."

There are 23 players in all, including four juniors and eight sophomores. There will usually be 10 or 11 dressed out for varsity games.

Karleskint will be a fourth-year starter. His primary position is shortstop but he's also one of the team's pitchers.

"He is a very good baseball player," Pruitt says. "He kind of does it all for us. He is a very good hitter who can hit for power as well as average and we're really looking for him to have a big year this year."

Pemberton is a player with great value to a high-school team. Since there are not many players on a varsity team and players are called on to pitch as well as play the field, his versatility will be a key. He is another one of the pitchers and can also play first base, catcher or the outfield.

"He can play about any position we need him to play," Pruitt said. "Having someone that versatile really helps us out. We can plug him into any spot."

Hull is mostly a right fielder. He has good speed and will be counted on to spark the offense.

"He does a really nice job with the bat," Pruitt says. "He puts the ball in play and he can run really well, too. He should be able to steal some bases and he should play well defensively."

The juniors are Cole Clayton, a pitcher and third baseman, Matt Carillo, who pitches and can play first and third, Josh Durossette, a rare catcher/pitcher combo, and Jaret Thorpe, a second baseman.

Clayton is expected to be the leader on the pitching staff. He has the ability to hit his spots and is tough to hit when he keeps hits pitches down, according to Pruitt. Carillo is more of the off-speed variety of pitcher, keeping hitters off balance. Carillo is also another good hitter who could help Hull set the table for the power hitters.

Durossette excels on defense, according to Pruitt. When he's behind the plate, he can call a good game for his pitchers and he has the arm needed to keep baserunners honest. Thorpe is looking to have a good year at the plate and on defense.

"These seven guys have been around the program for three of four years now," Pruitt says. "They know what's expected of them. They know what's being asked of them. What I like about this group is that they are very coachable. They've taken what we've been teaching them and they've really come around."

One thing that should make the Tigers more competitive in addition to their experience is physical maturity. This group of players had to play a lot of varsity innings as sophomores and freshmen. That, says Pruitt, is tough to do when they other teams are playing experienced seniors.

"Last year, we lost several games just because we weren't very strong," Pruitt says. "They've got up into the weight room and bought in to what we're trying to accomplish. I think we have a very good chance to do some good things."

Luke Brown will play center field for the Tigers. Justin Uhler will see time in left field. Brent Parsons will be up on varsity as a first baseman and pitcher. And Dustin Stewart may also see some varsity time. All four are sophomores.

Practices -- even indoor ones such as the Tigers were forced to take earlier this week -- have been going well and the team is ready to finally play some competition. Pruitt expects Nevada to provide a good challenge for the Tigers Monday afternoon.

"We've been focused in practice," Pruitt says. "We're tired of scrimmaging every day. Nevada's going to be a good team to start out with. We'll have to be ready to play. They have some games scheduled already and they might get two or three games in before Monday. They'll be a little bit ahead of us."

Independence was the Southeast Kansas League champion last year with Pittsburg as the runner-up. Both of those teams are expected to be strong again this season.

"Independence is going to have a few good players coming back," Pruitt says. "Their coaches have the program headed in the right direction. Pittsburg is going to be good again. They'll have one of the top pitchers in the league. They will be tough again."

Monday will be a single game followed by a junior varsity contest. The teams will face each other again in Nevada April 30 with a similar schedule. All other Fort Scott varsity dates will be doubleheaders.

NOTE -- Fort Scott's baseball schedule starts off with five consecutive home dates. The next five after that are on the road but the Tigers do finish the regular season at home on May 13 against Chanute. Also, the Tigers will play five games between Monday and April 8, then not play again until the 20th, when they then begin a stretch of nine games in 11 days....