Editor’s note: Extracurricular activities, including athletics, for Jefferson County public schools have been postponed until at least April 23. The Leader will present spring sports previews on the presumption that the seasons will be held this spring, with a different team in the county featured at 2 p.m. each day. For updated information, continue to check myleaderpaper.com.
TOMORROW: Fox
Brian Weible was Ricardo Pastrana’s assistant coach for the Crystal City baseball team last spring.
Pastrana stepped down after five years, and Weible was chosen as the new skipper. This isn’t Weible’s first time as a head coach. He led Potosi from 2010 to 2013.
Weible takes over a team with one senior (Blake Eisenbeis) and finished 2-13 last season after being polished off by Valle Catholic in the Class 2 District 4 semifinals. In all fairness to the Warriors’ 15-0 victory, Valle rang up the same score against Bismarck in the district final.
Weible said he was able to see his new players for two weeks before the season was postponed, and he said that wasn’t enough time to assess all their strengths and weaknesses. Five freshmen join seven returning players to stock the 12-man roster.
Eisenbeis can pitch and play both middle infield positions.
Junior Hunter Bassin (pitcher, shortstop) and sophomores Nate Pruneau (first base) and Calloway Dashner (center field) are the other top returning players.
Bassin is the Hornets’ top pitcher, followed by Eisenbeis. Pruneau and freshmen Cyle Schaumburg, Joe Vogt and Clayton Roussin are the other arms.
“We are expecting Blake to be one of our leaders and contributors on and off the field,” Weible said. “We saw tremendous improvement from him last year and since he’s our only senior, we expect him to set the example.”
The Missouri State High School Activities Association has said it will work with local school districts and county health authorities to determine whether the season will start, and when.