Regional Radio Senior Spotlight – Baseball: Farmington, Central

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Farmington Knights:
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Tyler Hampton – IF

Hampton would have been a three-year starter for the Farmington baseball team this year and always displayed a positive attitude and great effort. He was one of the team’s top offensive threats and is the type of player that when he gets hot, he can carry a team with his bat. Hampton was also a great situational player, especially at the plate. He could hit anywhere in the lineup and had a great glove on the infield. Hampton will be attending Central Methodist University in the fall to continue his baseball career and study kinesiology.

Grant Higginbotham – Utility, SP

Higginbotham was going to be a three-year starter for the Knights baseball team this year and was a rare five-tool player. He could run, throw, field, and hit for power and contact. Higginbotham was a mainstay in the middle of the lineup for Farmington and had a ton of offensive prowess. He was also one of the team’s top pitchers and could play both infield and outfield on defense. Higginbotham was also a member of the Knights basketball team. He plans to attend Westminster College in the fall where he will continue his baseball career.

Reilly Resinger – OF, RP

Resinger was a returning player for the Farmington baseball team this spring and was one of the hardest working players on the team. He showed a tremendous amount of improvement over the past few months and was named the team’s Offseason Pitcher of the Year. Resinger has excellent command of his pitches and was poised to be one of the team’s go-to pitchers out of the bullpen this season. He will be joining the Mineral Area College baseball team in the fall and will work at Billy Beard Electric while going to school.

Owen Tripp – Utility, SP

Tripp would have been a multi-year starter for the Knights baseball team this spring and was a vocal leader for the group. He is a true competitor who took his development as an athlete seriously. Tripp was one of the team’s top returning pitchers and has been Farmington’s lefty ace in recent years. He was a bulldog on the mound who could eat up innings. Tripp was also a versatile hitter who could hit anywhere in the lineup and be productive. He was also a member of the Farmington basketball team. Tripp will be playing baseball next year at William Woods University.

Jackson Collier – SP, RP

Collier was going to be a first-year varsity player for the Farmington baseball team this spring after transferring from Centralia last year. Even though he was unable to play varsity this past season, he still prepared hard every day and was dominant at the JV level. Collier worked hard this offseason to overcome having to wait last year and was poised to be one of the Knights’ top pitchers. He has great off-speed pitches and his velocity improved over the past few months. Collier was also a member of the Farmington football and wrestling teams. He plans to attend Fontbonne University where he will play baseball and study history with a minor in criminal justice.

Blane Worley – Utility

Worley would have been a three-year varsity player for the Knights baseball team this spring and was a true leader for the group both on and off the field. During team meetings this offseason he was vocal about what he felt Farmington baseball should be like. Worley was a versatile player for the Knights who could play virtually any position on defense in addition to being able to pitch. Worley was also a member of the Farmington football, basketball, and tennis teams. He plans to attend Shawnee Community College where he will play baseball and study to go into education.

Zachary Grimes – OF

Grimes was going to be a three-year starter for the Farmington baseball team this spring and would never let anybody outwork him. He was always the first one in the door for workouts and practices. Grimes could run like a deer and had exceptional range in the outfield. He had great passion for the game of baseball and was consistently improving. Grimes was named All-District following the 2019 season. He was also a member of the Farmington football and basketball teams. Grimes will be joining the workforce after graduation at D&S Fencing.

Gage Johnson – RP

Johnson was a returning player for the Knights baseball team and was poised to be one of the team’s key pitchers out of the bullpen. He showed a tremendous amount of improvement this offseason and was primed for a big season. Johnson was always a hard worker who consistently improved throughout his time at Farmington. He was also a member of the Knights’ basketball team. Johnson plans to attend Mineral Area College in the fall where he will study to pursue a career in the medical field.

Coltin Wilkerson – 1B

Wilkerson was going to be a two-year varsity player for the Farmington baseball team this spring and was a great guy to have around. He was the team’s comedian and always brought a light-hearted nature to the field. Wilkerson was a big-time power bat for the Knights and could really drive the baseball when he squared one up. He was also a strong defensive player who had great feet and fielding ability at first base. Wilkerson was also a member of the Farmington football team. He plans to attend Mineral Area College in the fall where he will decide on a major.

Seth Heberlie – OF

Heberlie was a returning player for the Knights baseball team this spring and was a key role player for the squad. He has a great competitive nature that gives him an edge on the field. Heberlie put in a lot of time this offseason and showed significant improvement. He had a powerful swing and had the potential to do a lot of damage every time he stepped into the batter’s box.

Boone Berry – IF

Berry was a returning player for the Farmington baseball team this spring and was a favorite on the team. He was a pleasant guy to be around who has plenty of charisma, always asked questions and was eager to learn. Berry always brought a phenomenal attitude to the field each and every day. In a lot of ways, he was an inspirational guy for the rest of the Farmington team. He plans to attend Mineral Area College in the fall before transferring to a four-year university.

Interview with Farmington Assistant Coach – Josh Hoehn:

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Central Rebels:
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Braydon Scherffius – IF

Braydon was a returning player for the Central baseball team this spring and was one of the team’s top offensive players over the past few seasons. He was a fierce competitor who brought it to the field every single day. Braydon was a hard worker who consistently improved throughout his time with the Rebels. This past season he hit .397 with six doubles, two triples, 17 RBI, seven walks, and only four strikeouts. He was also named 1st Team All-Conference and All-District. Braydon plans to attend Mineral Area College in the fall where he will play for the Cardinals baseball team.

Cade Scherffius – OF, SP

Cade was a returning player for the Rebels baseball team this spring and had been an ace on the pitching staff in recent years. He is a fiery competitor who plays with an edge and a chip on his shoulder. Cade is the type of player who will outwork the competition to ensure he comes out on top. He finished last year with a .288 batting average, six runs, six RBI, five walks, and only four strikeouts. Cade also added three wins on the mound, 42.2 innings pitched, 43 strikeouts, and a 2.95 ERA. He was a two-time All-Conference selection as a pitcher. Cade was also a member of the Central basketball team. He will be playing baseball at Mineral Area College in the fall.

Gage Manion – IF

Manion was a returning player for the Central baseball team this spring and was a reliable player for the Rebels. He was the team’s leadoff hitter and was terrific at setting the table for the rest of the offense. Manion was a strong guy who had great pop in his bat and worked hard to consistently improve. He finished last season with a .300 batting average, 16 runs scored, 10 RBI, and 10 walks. Manion was also a member of the Rebels’ football team and was an All-State defensive back this past season.

Drew Hamski – OF

Hamski was a returning player for the Rebels baseball team this spring and was a great kid who always went about things the right way. He is a great kid who set a terrific example for the rest of the team on how to carry yourself on and off the field. Hamski was a stellar athlete who utilized his speed both in the outfield and on the basepaths. He was always an extremely hard worker who improved every year at Central. Hamski was also a member of the Rebels’ basketball team. He will be attending Hannibal-LaGrange University in the fall where he will play both baseball and basketball.

Dylan Corcoran – C

Corcoran was a returning player for the Central baseball team this spring and was a captain of the defense behind the plate. He was a great leader for the team and was always coaching up the underclassman catchers at practice. Corcoran was a selfless player who displayed relentless effort and hustle. He had great athletic potential and developed by leaps and bounds year by year. Corcoran was also the quarterback of the Rebels’ football team. He has several offers to continue playing baseball at the collegiate level but is currently undecided on his plans.

Sam Hart – SP

Hart was a retuning player for the Rebels baseball team this spring and always brought a light-hearted nature to practices and games. He got some opportunities at the varsity level this past season and took full advantage with several strong outings on the mound. Hart was one of the team’s most improved players this offseason and was in position to be one of the team’s top pitchers this year. He finished the 2019 season with 15 innings pitched, 10 strikeouts, and a 3.73 ERA.

Ryan Jones – Utility

Jones was a returning player for the Central baseball team this spring and would have been making his debut with the varsity team. He was a selfless player who stayed the course and worked his way up to the varsity level. Jones would always go about things the right way and would play the game at 100 miles per hour. He had a lot of success at the JV level this past season and was one of the team’s hardest workers.

Interview with Central Head Coach – Ronnie Calvird: