The Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association recently released its preseason rankings, and two area schools, Vianney and Westminster, were tabbed for the top spots in their respective classes.
Westminster captured its first baseball state championship last spring, defeating Savannah 6-3 in the Class 3 title game.
The Wildcats return several key players from a 27-4 squad, including senior outfielders Tate Matheny (.505, 10 HR, 54 RBI, 22 steals) and Connor Einertson (.520, 39 RBI), as well as junior lefthander Ben Lovell (10-1, 1.89 ERA). Matheny, son of Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, has signed with Missouri State.
Vianney finished third in Class 4 after losing to eventual champion Francis Howell 14-13 in eight innings in the semifinals.
"It's what you could potentially be, and that's what we've talked about during our offseason stuff," Vianney coach Scott Brown said. "On paper, we could be pretty good, but you don't play on paper."
The Golden Griffins return three Division I prospects in senior middle infielder Jake Walters (Austin Peay signee, .490, 5 HR, 32 RBI), junior catcher Jack Klages (Missouri commitment, .389, 28 RBI) and junior third baseman Matt Brown (Arkansas commitment, .319, 7 HR, 21 RBI). Vianney also returns pitchers Tim Agne (7-3, 4.37 ERA) and Michael Dillon (5-1, 3.57) and closer Teddy Rule (3-1, five saves, 3.65).
Parkway South (No. 4), Eureka (No. 6) and Francis Howell Central (No. 10) also are ranked in Class 4. MICDS (No. 5), Borgia (No. 7) are ranked in Class 3. Crystal City (No. 7) is the only area team ranked in Class 2.
Francis Howell, which went 32-3 and won the Class 4 title last spring, is not ranked in the preseason. The Vikings sustained heavy losses to graduation, including a trio of Missouri signees in Brett Graves, Case Munson and Jake Ivory. Howell will be young but has some talent in the system.
