As Tyrone’s 2025 baseball roster looks forward to their first game on Tuesday, March 18th, the 20+ game season lies before them.
Coming off of a missed district playoff opportunity in 2024 with a 7-12 record, the Golden Eagles look to capitalize on an aggressive offense, quality arms, and a roster with some depth on the diamond to make a push for districts and beyond.
The team’s attitude has shifted this season. Every player at every level understands the goal. When asked what the team hopes to achieve in 2025, sophomore Ben Walk quipped, “greatness.”
The team’s raw talent and love for the game, mixed with each player’s unique personality and humor, should make for a fun season for the Golden Eagles.
“Our personalities all come together as one,” senior Dylan McKinney said.
Team cohesion is always important for any squad’s success, but competition for starting spots also factors in.
With thirty-four players in the program this year, the competition for varsity playing time is stiff. There is only room for the most consistent and hardest working players.
Head Coach Kevin Soellner pushes his players to compete, while also lifting each other up.
“Watching [them] battle it out each and every day, but cheering each other on, is exactly what we need,” Coach Soellner said.
With the roster being so competitive, some players have played positions this pre-season in preparation to be more available and add another tool to the defense.
One of the best examples of this is Brandon McClure’s move from the everyday third-baseman in the past two seasons to the middle infield at second base. McClure sees the value in him and other players taking this approach.
“We have got so many guys that can play so many different positions it gives us more depth than we have had in previous years,” McClure said, “Moving to second… it’s different, but I’m applying the skills I learned at third base and taking them to second.”
The culture of self-sacrifice of personal comfort is required for a team to win.
“Doing what’s best for them will hopefully help us reach our end goals,” McClure added.
Seven seniors lead the Golden Eagles this year: Ashton Walk, Landon Hamer, Lincoln Shirey, Dylan Ewing, Brienn Jones, Dylan McKinney, and Gayge Miller.
The strong leadership on the team is hoping to leave the program better than they found it.
“We’re going to have to push the team to [complete] our goals. We want to win, and we have the talent to do so,” senior Gayge Miller said.
The pitching and hitting for the Eagles look to be strong.
Their pitching staff is bolstered by returning varsity arms Wyatt Kustenbauder, Logan Seeger, Dylan Ewing, and Brandon McClure.
Landon Hamer has been a four-year starting catcher for the Golden Eagles and has caught and help led the pitching staff, and he sees a lot of potential from behind the dish.
“I believe that our rotation is stronger than many think, and with the correct execution of their pitches, we can succeed against any team.” Hamer said, “Pitching is a focal point and if we focus on it enough, we can prove a lot of people wrong,” Hamer said.
New, promising arms also look to gain innings and experience this season include Carter Price, Eli Woomer, and Gayge Miller.
The Eagle’s hitting returns with the lineup featuring some of last year’s most valuable players, while graduated senior AJ Coleman, a valuable bat in 2024, will be replaced in the outfield with a couple of candidates, including Lincoln Shirey, Brayden Parsons, Gayge Miller, or Owen Oakes.
The Golden Eagles hitters are confident this year. Junior Connor McClure said “The potential to score a lot of runs is definitely there. Consistency is going to be key, and I think we can provide that.”
The future success of the Eagles looks promising as freshmen Connor Zupon, Eli Hunter, and Jon Stroup all look to get experience and reps in their first year.
Tyrone’s first game will be Tuesday, March 18th, at home vs. Penns Valley. First pitch is at 4:30 pm.
