With baseball season coming up, I decided to make a Six Rivers West conference preview. The Six Rivers West conference looks to have a few promising teams who could be fighting for the conference title this season. Here’s a look at each team and their projected rank in the conference.
Belmont
Last year Belmont was undefeated in conference play and 14-5 overall. Belmont is losing a total of five players from last year, including starters Riley Christensen, Will Cutler, Danny Powel, and Mitch Douglas. Returning are Ty Palzkill, Kolby Lancaster, and Tyler Simmons. With Belmont losing so many players, it is hard to judge how well they will do this year, although you can bet that they will be a solid contender in the conference.
Key Players: Ty Palzkill, Tyler Simmons, Kolby Lancaster
Potosi/Cassville
Potosi/Cassville went 3-5 and finished fourth in the conference last year with an overall record of 7-12. They lost four seniors, including starters Jack Kaiser, who was first team all-conference, Levi Hampton, who was honorable mention all-conference, and Jake Stoney. Returning are Robby Roe, Preston Steiner, Ashton Spitzack, Logan Kruser, Ethan Kerkhoff, and Eli Adams. With so many returning players, Potosi/Cassville has the potential to have a breakout year and make a run for the conference title.
Key Players: Robby Roe, Preston Steiner, Ashton Spitzack, Logan Kruser, Ethan Kerkhoff, Eli Adams
Highland
Highland finished second in the conference last year with a 5-3 record. The Cardinals have lost first team all-conference pitcher Owyn Halverson and first team all-conference utility player Cal Dorota. They have returners in first team all-conference infielder Blake Dax and first team all-conference outfielder Bryce Bollant. Also returning are Max Oleson, who was second in runs on the team, and Joseph Bomkamp, who was fifth on the team in runs. Highland looks to have a solid team this year and will be able to put up a good fight for the conference.
Key Players: Blake Dax, Max Oleson, Bryce Bollant, and Joseph Bomkamp
River Ridge
The Timberwolves were 4-4 in conference play last year which put them at third in the conference. River Ridge lost first team all-conference infielder Johnathon Hammon and honorable mention all-conference infielder Bryce Quick. Returning will be first team all-conference outfielder Braden Crubel, honorable mention all-conference pitcher Logan Drone, and honorable mention all-conference infielder David Nies. River Ridge looks to have a good team with a lot of returning talent. They will definitely be a tough team to beat this year.
Key Players: David Nies, Braden Crubel, Logan Drone
Shullsburg/Benton
Shullsburg/Benton went winless in the conference last year, finishing in last place. They will be losing a total of nine seniors from last year which includes first team all-conference infielder Brandon Hoppman and honorable mention all-conference designated hitter Jack Charles. Shullsburg/Benton will have to rely on their upcoming classes in order to have a good season this year. They will be a very young team without much experience. It’s hard to predict how well this team will do this year.
Key Players: Evan Edge, Nate Lawrence, Evan Pederson, Nathan Keleher, Eli Blaine
The Six Rivers West looks to be a very competitive conference this year with many different teams who could come out on top. It will be fun to watch and see how this conference plays out over the next few months.