With only four returning starters, the Ankeny Centennial baseball team enters the season with a lot of question marks.
Centennial coach Mark Hey is optimistic, though, that he’ll be able to find some answers.
“We have some really talented young players who have good instincts for the game,” Hey said. “I think we have several pitchers who will have strong seasons.”
Senior Kaden Stewart is the team’s top returning pitcher. He tossed 25 innings in the abbreviated 2020 season, compiling a 1-3 record with a 2.80 ERA.
Stewart, who received all-conference honorable mention, will also see some action in the outfield. He will play for Ellsworth Community College next year.
The other returning starters are senior infielder Trey Hansen, senior catcher and outfielder Gabe Monosmith and senior catcher Jackson Powell. They helped the Jaguars to a 14-12 mark last season.
Monosmith batted .339 and drove in eight runs. He was a first-team all-conference pick.
Monosmith is headed to Iowa Lakes Community College in the fall.
Powell batted .258 with five doubles and 14 RBIs. He was a second-team all-conference selection.
Powell has signed with Illinois Central Community College.
Hansen will also be taking his talents to the collegiate level. He will play for Morningside.
Hansen batted .152 with three RBIs as a junior. He also made five appearances and four starts on the mound, going 1-2 with a 6.30 ERA.
Hey said many of his players are still involved with spring sports.
“We have eight guys in track right now, but they are good multi-sport athletes and I have no worries that they will be ready on May 24,” Hey said, referring to Monday’s season-opening doubleheader at Ottumwa.
The Jaguars will then play at defending Class 4A state champion Johnston on Wednesday.
“Our inexperience is my main concern,” Hey said. “We will be pretty inexperienced, so we just want to improve each week.
“We will only worry about what we can control,” he added.
