Greenfield-Central’s Connor Sims (22) delivers a pitch in the first inning of the Cougars’ game against Pendleton Heights during the Class 4A Sectional 9 quarterfinals at Pendleton Heights High School on Tuesday, May 26, 2021. (Rob Baker/Daily Reporter)
By Paul Gable/For Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — When Greenfield-Central High School baseball coach Mark Vail looks back on the 2021 season, he does so with mixed feelings.
There were great wins, a 16-8 overall record and a second-place finish in the Hoosier Heritage Conference race. But, for all the greatness, the Cougars finished just short of both a conference and sectional crown, two goals Greenfield-Central has coming into this season.
“Our goal every year is to get better every day and compete to the end. I thought last year we were pretty good most of the time, but fell a little short in both the HHC and sectional,” Vail said. “This is a new year, and we can only take what we learned last year and move forward. Our seniors from last year were victims of the pandemic, losing their junior season, and I thought they responded extremely well in terms of physical contributions as well as leadership. It was a large group that provided stability in all areas. Our returners need to step everything up a notch for us to move forward.”
Gone from a season ago are: Gavin Atwood, Carson Gibson, Nick Grandstaff, Brandon Jenkins, Kaleb Martin, Lance McKee, Jacob Riegle, Ron Roberts and Parker Stanley.
Atwood, McKee and Martin helped pace the Cougars at the plate. Atwood hit .324, while Martin hit .315 and McKee chipped in with a .305 batting average.
The Cougars bring back some talent, both offensively and on the mound, this season. Headlining the returning group is junior shortstop A.J. Oden, who hit .382 last year, and junior outfielders Grant Shepherd, who hit .373 and Conner Sims, who hit .286.
In 81 plate appearances, Oden recorded 18 runs, 26 hits and 16 RBI to go along with 11 doubles and a home run. Shepherd registered 16 runs, 28 hits, 22 RBI, eight doubles and five homers, while Sims added 14 hits and nine RBI.
Also back are senior infielder Joe Roland and junior outfielders Andrew Zellers and Jaden Markus.
On the mound, junior pitchers Conner Sims, Andrew Zellers and Jaden Markus are all back as are seniors Jaden McGee and Corbin Tilley. Vail said, he expects the five to handle a big part of the pitching duties for the Cougars.
Zellers posted a team best 1.62 ERA last year, while going 3-0. Zellers recorded 27 strikeouts and gave up seven walks. Markus finished last season with a 2.42 ERA and a 1-1 mark while striking out 21 and surrendering 15 walks. Sims posted a 2.62 ERA with a 4-1 record, striking out 57 and walking 23 batters.
Having a mix of offensive and pitching talent back could be huge for Greenfield-Central, according to Vail.
“All of them bring a full season of good experience back. They know what to expect, so there should be few surprises. To have three of your top-offensive players back along with three pitchers, who experienced success last year, is huge. But, as we have talked, we have to continue to get better,” Vail said.
Vail notes he and his team are looking forward to returning to a little normalcy this season after having two years impacted with COVID.
“We all are happy things are more normal and hope they stay that way. Players have experienced a unique challenge. We have talked about challenges other generations have experienced and how they responded, and how they will respond to this one,” Vail said.
What remains to be seen is if the Cougars can go one step further in the HHC and capture a conference title.
“We know everyone in the HHC is going to bring solid, if not really, good pitching as well as enough offense to hurt you. If you are not ready to answer the bell for these games, you will not fare well. It has always been competitive to the end, and I expect nothing else this season,” Vail said.
2022 Greenfield-Central Baseball Schedule
Mar. 30: Greenfield-Central at Frankton, 5:30 p.m.
Apr. 4: Wapahani at Greenfield-Central, 5:30 p.m.
Apr. 5: New Castle at Greenfield-Central, 5:30 p.m.*
Apr. 6: Greenfield-Central at New Castle, 5:30 p.m.*
Apr. 9: Lapel at Greenfield-Central, 3 p.m.
Apr. 11: Greenfield-Central at Columbus East, 6 p.m.
Apr. 12: Delta at Greenfield-Central, 6 p.m.*
Apr. 13: Greenfield-Central at Delta, 6 p.m.*
Apr. 16: (DH) Greenfield-Central at Fishers, 11 a.m.
Apr. 19: Yorktown at Greenfield-Central, 6 p.m.*
Apr. 20: Greenfield-Central at Yorktown, 6 p.m.*
Apr. 22: Greenfield-Central at Southport, 6 p.m.
Apr. 26: Greenfield-Central at New Palestine, 5:30 p.m.*
Apr. 27: New Palestine at Greenfield-Central, 5:30 p.m.*
May 3: Greenfield-Central at Pendleton Heights, 5:30 p.m.*
May 4: Pendleton Heights at Greenfield-Central, 5:30 p.m.*
May 6: Greenfield-Central at Connersville, 6 p.m.
May 9: Greenfield-Central at Lebanon, 6 p.m.
May 10: Greenfield-Central at Mt. Vernon, 6 p.m.*
May 11: Mt. Vernon at Greenfield-Central, 6 p.m.*
May 14: (DH) Guerin Catholic at Greenfield-Central, 5 p.m.
May 17: Shelbyville at Greenfield-Central, 5:30 p.m.*
May 18: Greenfield-Central at Shelbyville, 5:30 p.m.*
May 19: Warren Central at Greenfield-Central, 5:30 p.m.
May 23: Triton Central at Greenfield-Central, 5:30 p.m.
* Hoosier Heritage Conference game
