Fri January 8, 2016
Shon Plack
Prep Baseball Report-Missouri
As we prepare for the upcoming 2016 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.
Team: West Platte
Nickname: Blue Jays
Class: Class 2
Conference: KCI
Head Coach: Tanner Lawson
Years as head coach at school: 3
2015 Overall Record: 19-6
2015 Conference Record: 10-2 (2nd Place)
2015 Post-Season Finish: Third Place in state; Class 2
2015 MHSBCA Preseason Rank: #4
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 2
Number of Returning Starters/Position Players: 5
Players with 2015 Post-Season Honors
MacKaulley Stephenson, RHP, 2016; 1st Team All-State (William Jewell)
Luke Horseman, 2B/RHP, 2016; All-District (Missouri Western)
Peyton Morris, C, 2016; All-District (Coffeyville CC)
Season Outlook
Senior RHP MacKaulley Stephenson finished 9-2 last season leading West Platte to the Final Four at T.R. Hughes and picking up 1st Team All-State honors along the way. Over the past three seasons, Stephenson has compiled a record of 20-5 with five saves. He has allowed just 39 runs in 150.3 innings and has a 1.93 ERA during his career. West Platte will also rely on senior C Peyton Morris and senior RHP Luke Horseman to make another run at the state championship in 2016. Both Morris and Horseman played a big role in the team's 2015 success, earning All-District honors. Coach Lawson heads into his third year as head coach with a 35-13 record, leading West Platte to a 3rd place finish in 2015 and a state quarterfinal appearance in 2014. The Blue Jays are poised to make a run a the state championship in 2016.
CLICK HERE, for a complete list of 2016 Team Previews