After losing just two seniors from last season’s roster, Randy Bouse’s baseball bunch is returning a wealth of experience while gaining a strong freshman class.

Six freshmen are listed on the Wildcats’ varsity roster along with two sophomores, three juniors and seven seniors. 

Bouse, who’s entering his seventh year as head baseball coach, said that last season’s 4-15 team gained valuable experience despite having a losing record. 

“Last year was definitely a developmental year for us. We had a lot of young kids, and we have a lot of young kids again this year,” Bouse said. “The difference being that last year’s younger kids got a lot of varsity experience, kind of baptism by fire. They had to kind of grow up quickly, because we didn’t have a lot of experience last year. So they gained varsity experience on the fly. So we come in this year, I think in a better place, because they have experience. And then we have a really strong freshman class who is experienced from the travel ball circuit, who’s kind of battle tested, and they’re already pushing the upper class.”

Two of those battle-tested freshmen, brothers Carter and Cooper Meadows, have already proven themselves to be varsity-ready. 

Bouse said that Carter will be the varsity team’s starting catcher and Cooper will get playing time in the outfield. The Meadows brothers won’t be the only freshmen who Bouse said will contribute to the varsity team immediately. 

Bouse also mentioned Layten Eikermann and Chase Hanes as freshmen standout pitchers, who he said are expected to help the varsity team right away. Eikermann is slated fourth in Cuba’s starting pitching rotation and Haynes is expected to be used as a long reliever.            

Hayes will initially be used as a reliever in his debut season. Bouse spoke highly of Hanes’ potential on the mound and at the plate.

“He’s (Hanes) got a big bat and a big power arm. He may be more of a relief guy this year on the varsity level, but he’s definitely going to be a big arm moving forward in the program,” Bouse said.

Bouse also mentioned Aiden Moreland as another freshman who’s expected to have an impact at the varsity level.

“Aiden Moreland is going to kind of be a utility guy. He can play both middle infield positions. He’s also got the ability to play all three outfield positions. He’s a really smart base runner who can handle the bat, so he’s going to be kind of a super utility guy.”

Bouse and assistant coach CJ Crader are hoping that the infusion of young players are able to learn from the team’s leaders, who are highlighted by reigning all Gasconade Valley Conference players, senior Adam Doyle and junior Braden Gipson. Gipson is expected to be Cuba’s number one pitcher and starting shortstop when he’s not on the mound. Doyle is expected to play multiple positions and hit at the top of the order. Bouse explained that each player has their own style of leadership.

“Braden (Gipson) is more of a leader by example. He’s not a real vocal kid, but he works extremely hard,” Bouse said. “I always tell the kids, especially the younger guys — if you want to learn, go learn from Braden. He will take the time to teach but he’s not a big rah-rah guy. He’s not somebody who’s going to be vocal and call someone out, necessarily, but he will take the time to teach them the things that he knows. He’s very fundamentally sound, and he leads by example through his hard work and the things that he does.”

While Gipson leads by example, Bouse said that Doyle is more of a vocal leader and helps keep his team loose throughout practices and games.

“Adam’s (Doyle) is a little bit more vocal. He’s a little more light-hearted. He likes to keep things a little more loose. So that’s more of his role. He’s more of a utility-type guy. He’s going to be someone who, depending on who’s pitching that day, you can see him play several different positions.”

Doyle didn’t strike out one time at the plate last season and Bouse spoke about how impressive that is to do. 

“Not striking out, it’s a very impressive staff that he had. So you know somebody at the top of your lineup that you know is going to put the ball in play, that’s an important weapon to have in your back pocket. As a coach, you know, going in, you’ve got a guy that’s going to put the ball in play for you in key situations.”

Gipson and Doyle aren’t the Wildcats only leaders. Bouse mentioned seniors Cameron Carnal and Jaspar Silva as players who’ve significantly improved throughout their careers and have taken leadership roles on this year’s team.

“Cameron Carnal took a big step last year. He was a starter for the first time last year as a pitcher and center fielder. This year, he’ll be our number two on the mound. He’ll be our starting center fielder. While he took a big step last year, we’re looking for a bigger step for him this year. Cameron’s really a team leader. He is vocal. He’s somebody that will really hold guys accountable.” 

“Jasper Silva will be our number three pitcher,” Bouse said. He took tremendous strides at the end of last season, and then he had a big summer where he really took off. We look for big things from Jasper as our number three pitcher, and he’ll play a corner outfield position as well.”

Bouse added that fellow senior Wyatt McMillian is expected to provide a punch at the plate in the heart of Cuba’s lineup as the team’s first baseman and designated hitter.

After practicing for two weeks, the Wildcats got their first taste of competition against other teams in the Owensville Jamboree on March 14 in a trio of three-inning scrimmages against Belle, Hermann and Owensville. Cuba defeated Hermann 4-0 and fell to Belle 9-1 and Owensville 7-1 to finish with a 1-2 record on the day.  

Cuba will officially begin its season with a doubleheader on March 21 in Salem. The Wildcats will play their home opener at 4:30 p.m. on March 23 against Richland and will host Potosi at 4:30 p.m. the following evening to conclude a stretch of four games in four days to begin the season. The black and gold will then have a week off before playing three days in a row at 4:30 p.m. on March 31, April 1 and April 2 against Kingston, in Rolla and against St. James.