They are playing for a new coaching staff, but the Eureka baseball team hasn’t let uncertainty affect their performance.
When longtime head coach James Daffron’s contract was not renewed this year, Eureka activities director Gregg Cleveland, who is retiring June 30, had to scramble to find a replacement. At his recommendation, the district hired former Rockwood Summit head coach Ken Droege, under whom Cleveland once served as an assistant for the Falcons. They have renewed that relationship, with Cleveland helping coach Eureka this spring.
None of this mattered to the players, who promptly started the season beating Francis Howell North twice at home (8-0 and 12-2) on March 23 and edging St. Louis University High 3-2 in Edwardsville, Ill., two days later. Junior Oscar Nottingham was the winning pitcher against SLUH, with junior Cole Edminston earning the save.
“We’re playing really good team baseball right now – a hard style of ball,” Droege said. “We could be 0-3 and I’d feel the same way. I break the season into phases by platooning kids and forming roles toward the end of the year to hit our stride in late April.”
The Wildcats’ only negative so far is the loss of three-year starting shortstop Maloy Heaghney to a hamstring injury in the season-opener. Heaghney hit .305 last year and led the Wildcats with five triples and 28 runs batted in, besides playing lockdown defense.
“I’d say his injury is more week-to-week than day-to-day,” Droege said.
Behind the plate are juniors Gavin Bradley and John Nisbett. Droege said they’ll platoon at catcher all year.
“They both swing it well and command it well behind the plate,” he said.
The first baseman is senior Carter Luft, one of the leaders of the school’s district champion basketball team. Droege sounds just like his basketball counterpart, Austin Kirby, when describing Luft.
“He’s a hard-nosed leader and every coach’s dream,” Droege said.
Junior Brody Hunt mans second base, backed up by senior Matt Burrows and sophomore Kyle Rehg. Senior Dakota Joggerst, also a key player on the hardwood, is back as the starting third baseman.
Left field is a platoon of juniors Josh West and Ryan Thornhill and sophomore Will Fiezer. Senior Drew Nenninger patrols center field and junior Brady Picarelli and senior Hayden Pletz are in right field.
Edminston and 2022 graduate Jeremy Lummus led Eureka pitchers with six wins apiece last year. Senior Asher Sink averaged more than a strikeout per inning and was 5-1 with an earned run average of 1.19. He was the winning pitcher in the opener against Howell North. Senior Carter Lewis and Heaghney, when he returns, also will pitch.
“(Sink) is the anchor of our staff, for sure,” Droege said. “We’re trying to develop some of our younger arms. Our pitching stats through three games are off the chart. That’s a little deceiving because we’ve won a lot of 3-2 counts and are getting through.”
The Wildcats were scheduled to visit Oakville (3-2) on Tuesday and host Parkway South (2-1) on Wednesday, both after the Leader deadline. Eureka will host Ozark (1-0) for a doubleheader Saturday. Ozark is the site for the state tournament final four.
Eureka will open play in the Suburban Conference Yellow pool (the top tier) April 4 at Rockwood Summit, which is also off to a 3-0 start. Also in the Yellow pool are Lafayette, Marquette, Lindbergh, Parkway West and Kirkwood.
The 2022 Wildcats finished 25-7, losing to Marquette 5-3 in the Class 6 District 2 semifinals. Eureka remains in District 2 with Lafayette, Lebanon, Marquette, Parkway South, Parkway West, Vianney (replacing CBC) and Waynesville.
Droege knows all about battles for district championships. He led Summit to the Class 4 state title in 2012.
“That’s how you want it,” he said about the tough district. “That’s what we build for. I love it. There is nothing better than playing in a big district game late in the year.”