The 2019 Cotter ramblers baseball team is young, very young.

The ramblers come in to the season with 15+ underclassman and only 2 upperclassman. One thing the ramblers have going for them is that they will return 6 starters from last year, including senior Jack Gardener who is looking to play baseball at the collegiate level. Gardener batted .350 as a junior and is a stellar first baseman and the team will look up to him and a leader as he leads the young pack this year.

The teams depth has already taken a big hit with starting shortstop and pitcher Charlie Reilly (ACL) out for the season and starting 2nd baseman Cale Beckman out for a significant amount with a broken arm. The team will also return starters Ethan Decker (OF), Connor Yocum (OF), Anthony Guzzo (IF), and Payton Weifenback (C).

Head coach Don Freeman comes into his 3rd year looking to make the “simple plays” as that was a key focus point last year to make the plays we are supposed to make. Freeman may be one the most experienced coaches in area as he has been a part of the coaching staff for the ramblers for 15+ years.

Although there will be lots learning curves and growing pains through the year, the ramblers come in with lots of energy and are optimistic about the 2019 season.

Cotter will open the season hosting the Caledonia Warriors on Friday, April 5th at 5 p.m. at the Cotter Baseball Field.