Creston baseball ready to compete

Though the Panthers lost two of last season’s key players in Avery Fuller and Gage Skarda, their nine returning letterwinners are ready to lead the team to a spot at the top of the Hawkeye 10 conference.

“I have high expectations for this season,” Coach Brandon Phipps said. “The guys have been buying into the work, and I have seen significant growth in many.”

This is Phipps’ second year as head coach. Last year, the Panthers finished 14-16 overall and 12-8 in the H10 for fifth place in the conference.

The season opens today as the Panthers host the Carlisle Wildcats. Junior varsity plays at 5:30 p.m. with varsity to follow at 7:30.

Lewis Central, Harlan and Glenwood are predicted to be the Panthers’ toughest adversaries in the H10 this year.

“Despite graduating several seniors last season, I know that (Lewis Central and Harlan) are well coached and will have guys in the line-up who can swing the bat with power,” Phipps said. “They reload pitching year in and year out so I know they are going to be a battle for anyone.”

Glenwood brings back the bulk of their order including several players who can hit extra base hits. “I forsee them being at the top of our league,” Phipps said.

Returners

One of the top returning players in Class 3A baseball is Creston senior Gannon Greenwalt. Returning as a first team all-conference and first team all-district player, he’s hitting .429 for the Panthers.

Senior catcher Kyle Strider was second team all-conference last year. “He’s top of the state in put outs behind the plate,” Phipps said.

Cael Turner, a junior, was second team all-conference last year. He pitched 54 innings with an earned run average of 3.37 including 61 strikeouts on the mound.

Another returning pitcher is junior Dylan Hoepker, earning honorable mention all-conference last year. He threw 39 innings last year with a 4.13 ERA.

Sophomore Parker Varner will also offer pitching relief, returning with a 3.27 ERA.

Junior Sam Henry has been hitting .309 in the fifth spot. “I expect him to have a big year for us,” Phipps said.

Phipps said he anticipates juniors Jack Walter, Dylan Calvin and Gavin Millslagle being in the line up often.

New Prospects

Juniors Quinten Fuller and Milo Staver will be playing this year. “Fuller is a strong bat coming into the line up this year,” Phipps said. “You will see (Staver) behind the plate for us and in the outfield.”

Eighth grader Tom Mikklenson is a new athlete to watch for. “I forsee him making a name for himself in the H10 as a young player,” Phipps said.

The Panthers play again Tuesday at home against Winterset and Thursday at Nodaway Valley.

“Bringing back several faces who were already in the line up last year, it makes me believe that we can compete with anyone on any given night and look forward to several new faces making a name for themselves,” Phipps said. “We believe we can compete at the top of the conference.”