Baseball Eagles Ready To Compete During Fall Season

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Naylor third baseman Luke Rose has the ball waiting to tag out a Twin Rivers baserunner during the season-opening game Sept. 4 at the Naylor field. Twin Rivers broke a 7-7 tie with two runs in the final inning to claim the win.

Photo by Leah Gimbel

Four returning seniors and a good mix of underclassmen have Naylor Eagles fans excited once again about the fall baseball season.

After a few postponements, the Eagles opened the season Friday, Sept. 4, with a 9-7 loss to Ozark Foothills Conference rival Twin Rivers. Next up is the late addition of a game with Doniphan at 4 p.m. Friday at Doniphan. The two teams also are set to meet Monday, Sept. 14, at Naylor.

Although COVID-19 cost them the spring season earlier this year, Naylor finished with a 10-5 mark last fall and won the Ozark Foothills Conference Tournament for the first time in 30 years.

Naylor senior Cody Jones slides safety into third base with a triple against Twin Rivers.

Leah Gimbel

Seniors Cody Jones, Matthew Rigdon, Matthew Ogden and Nick Garrett return to lead the Eagles hopes this fall.

Against Twin Rivers, starting pitcher Cody Jones worked four innings, allowing five runs on two hits. Matthew Rigdon pitched the final three innings, giving up four runs on three hits while striking out two.

Naylor collected eight hits including two apiece from Luke Rose and Matt Wheetley. Cody Jones added a triple. The Eagles put together four runs in the fourth inning with Jones, Wheetley and Rose all collecting runs batted in.

Naylor senior Cody Jones slide safety into third base with a triple against Twin Rivers.

Leah Gimbel

Naylor welcomes a new head coach this season in Lee Eagle.

Eagles starting pitcher Cody Jones fires a strike in the season-opener.

Leah Gimbel