After suffering a wrath of injuries last year, the Raiders are much more versatile, and consequently much more prepared for any unexpected challenges that might be thrown their way. Two-thirds of this year’s baseball team is new, and what returns is scattered throughout the field. Dylan Kater and Ryan Hunter return in the outfield, Garyn Stewart is back at shortstop, Grant Miller at second base, William Stallings as an infielder and Matt Robbins behind the plate comprise the returning Raiders in the field. “That is certainly nice to have,” Three Rivers coach Stacey Burkey said. “From a leadership role that you expect sophomores to have when doing workouts position wise, we’ve had some guys the freshmen can look to and get help.” Hunter finished second on the team with a .343 batting average last season to go with 20 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and five home runs. Stewart hit .292 with 20 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, four doubles and a home run. Stallings added 17 RBIs and Kater got seven. The four were the only Raiders to appear in more than 35 of Three Rivers’ 43 games last season as the team went 13-30.

Burkey also returns four sophomore pitchers in Lane Crowley, Parker Dent, Ty Gordon, and Fernando Burgos. Each had more than 20 innings of work as freshmen. There are 17 pitchers on the roster, seven of whom can play another position. With multiple guys being able to play multiple spots, the only position Burkey is concerned about depth at the moment is catcher. Matt Robbins and freshman Reece Reading of Ontario, Canada, will likely handle most of the catching duties, along with freshman Ray Hill, the Raiders have three catchers on the roster. “Early on we are going to get as many guys in situations as we can, with us not extending a pitch count too far early in the season,” Burkey said. We are going to have some good options as far as our 4-6 starters and our bullpen. Going into it right now, it is going to be a much better situation than we were in last year from a pitching standpoint. We’ll be able to make moves pretty quick and not leave guys out there when they don’t need to be out there.” Burkey doesn’t have the opening game roster figured out, and doesn’t expect it to be consistent. With nearly half of the pitching staff being able to play another position, and as many as five lefties to choose from in the lineup, this roster gives the coaches the flexibility to set things up for each opponent. Hunter, Kater, Stewart and Stallings will likely be fixtures in the heart of the batting order, but who goes where, when and how is still a bit in the air. Stallings will also move from third to first base much of the time this year with Three Rivers adding third base depth with the freshman class. The Raiders are in better shape just in sheer numbers, with 33 players compared to 25 at this time last year. “We have good options all over the field, really, with different combinations we can use in the infield and outfield,” Burkey said. “It is all about staying healthy and getting hot. But we certainly have good combinations and good options as far as our lineup goes.” Poplar Bluff’s Jared Moses and Michael Anagnostopoulos are among the 23 new faces. So far, Moses has been getting a lot of time at second base, but Burkey added he could play four or five spots, while Anagnostopoulos has been in the outfield. “He’s seen a lot of pitches through our fall season. He was able to extend a lot of at-bats and get deep into counts, get on base a lot and move runners. Certainly some things you like to see at the top of the order,” Burkey said of Moses. “Mike has shown the ability to hit velocity and I think he is going to be a good RBI guy for us.” Along with Alcorn (Clearwater), Ty’Reik Thomas (Kennett), Miller (Greenville), Crowley (East Carter) and Winston Welter (Notre Dame), there are seven Raiders from area high schools. Three Rivers’ home opener was scheduled for Saturday against Southwestern Illinois but has been moved to Sunday and now at Belleville, Illinois due to the weather forcast here.  The Raiders are also scheduled to be at home Feb. 24 and March 1, but then not again until March 17.

Scott Borkgren - Daily American Republic