Vikings counting on leaders, newcomers to fill key gaps

MORIAH | There is no sugarcoating what Moriah must replace from a year ago. The Vikings lost six seniors to graduation, including CVAC all-stars Joe Pelkey and Jake Mascarenas, who anchored both the lineup and pitching staff. What remains is a roster that blends returning experience with a sizable group of newcomers, leaving head coach Casey Nephew focused on how quickly the pieces come together. "We return five starters and two more with experience at the varsity level," Nephew said. "We have a few players switching to new positions this year. How quickly they adapt will be a key to our success." Moriah finished 7-6 last season, second in CVAC Division II, and showed offensive flashes, hitting .234 as a team while drawing 76 walks. But consistency, more so on the mound, proved elusive at times, as the Vikings posted a 4.88 ERA and allowed 101 runs in 89 innings. The foundation for improvement begins with a trio of multi-year starters in Owen Bobbie, Joey Kazlo and Billy Orr. Kazlo emerged as one of the team's top hitters as a sophomore, batting .359 with a .500 on-base percentage and a team-best .987 OPS. Orr also showed strong plate discipline, posting a .533 OBP with 14 walks, while Bobbie adds experience and versatility after appearing in 12 games. "Owen Bobbie, Joey Kazlo and Billy Orr are multi-year starters who will serve as leaders," Nephew said. Beyond that group, several players are expected to take on expanded roles. "Kohin Sargent, Bo McGinness, Austin Mandy and Jason Larmore will all be asked to play a bigger role than they played last year," Nephew said. Sargent showed patience at the plate as a sophomore, drawing eight walks and posting a .414 OBP, while McGinness contributed in limited action. Larmore and Mandy, both freshmen a year ago, gained valuable experience that could translate into bigger contributions this spring. A key storyline for Moriah will be how it replaces its innings on the mound. With Pelkey and much of last year's pitching production gone, the Vikings will look to a mix of returners and new faces to stabilize the staff. Kazlo, Orr and Sargent all logged innings last season. The Vikings will also rely heavily on their incoming class to round out the roster. "First-year players will be asked to step up and contribute early," Nephew said. "Freshman Jackson Frasier will also be counted on to provide solid defense at first base." Frasier headlines a group of newcomers that includes Michael Bushey, Parker Anderson, Jaiden Lopes, Gavin Hughes and Richard David. Many of those players are expected to see time in the outfield, with Hughes also factoring in at third base. "Gavin Hughes, Michael Bushey, Parker Anderson, Jaiden Lopes and Richard David round out the roster and will spend most of their time in the outfield, with Hughes seeing some time at third base," Nephew said. With a reshaped roster and multiple players adjusting to new positions, early-season development will be critical. "Our goal is to improve throughout the season and be playing our best baseball in the sectional tournament," Nephew said.

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Vikings counting on leaders, newcomers to fill key gaps

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