After having an all-state pitcher each of the past two years in their run to back-to-back second place showings at the state tournament, this year the Marissa-Coulterville Meteors baseball team will be relying on their depth to continue the tradition.

Dominant pitchers Cale Wine and Joey Phelps are no longer on the squad, but Marissa-Coulterville won’t have to rebuild, the team will just reload.

“The cornerstone of this program is our depth,” said Marissa-Coulterville coach Jason Smith. “We have built this program one through 12 where everyone contributes.”
The Meteors will once again feature depth in the starting pitching rotation with seniors Chris Fullerton and David Parkinson along with sophomore Logan “Blue Glove” Tabor.

Fullerton was 8-0 last season, while Parkinson has had a good summer and picked up a lot of strikeouts last year. Tabor didn’t pitch a lot last year as a freshman, but is expected to see plenty of innings this season. Senior Casey Pitchford will be the team’s closer.

“We need someone to step up and be that dominate number one pitcher, but our depth is really good,” added Smith. “To be successful especially in the postseason, you need two or three good pitchers and I think we have that.”

Depth in the batting lineup will be another strength for the Meteors. “Our lineup should be pretty tough from top to bottom this season,” said Smith. “Cody Mahan will be a force at the top of our lineup with his speed and ability to make contact and then you follow him with Casey Pitchford, Tabor, Parkinson and Lloyd and that is a tough stretch to pitch around.”

With back-to-back state tournament appearances on the squad’s resume, it would be easy for this team to set its expectations high, but Smith keeps the same goals for every year.

“We want to win 20 games and win a regional,” said Smith. “This team just needs to go out and play the games and not get caught up on trying to make it back to state.”

Other players expected to contribute this season include junior first baseman Kevin Galle, Kyle Sinn, Joey Martin and senior Brett Gilley.

“I think Kevin has a great upside to him,” added Smith. “He has been a great hitter on every level and we are excited about him. Brett has had a good preseason and he will play a big role for us this year as well.”

Marissa-Coulterville’s home opener is scheduled for Monday, March 22 against Madison in Coulterville.