Lindsay takes over young PCM squad looking to flip its script

Jeff Lindsay spent seven years as an assistant coach under Shaun Hudnut. After Hudnut resigned in the offseason, Lindsay takes over a program that graduated its top pitcher and a four-year starter in the outfield.

The Mustangs do return their top two hitters, an all-conference catcher and a large chunk of its young talent that is sure to be better in 2017.

Lindsay will be working with a mostly young pitching staff, and with the new rules on pitch count going into effect, it could be challenging putting the pieces to the puzzle together.

“We have a fair amount of experience back, but we will have a young pitching staff,” Lindsay said. “The new pitch count rules is going to make your team versatile. Fortunately, our team is versatile. We have guys that can play several positions.”

Junior Noah Henkenius starts the season as the team’s top pitcher.

Senior Braden Phifer also will pitch. The rest of the staff is filled with freshmen and sophomores.

Henkenius logged the second-most innings (45 2/3) last year and had an earned run average of 2.76. He also led the Mustangs at the plate with a .370 average and a team-high nine doubles, 17 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.

Phifer threw only six innings last year but his role will increase in 2017. At the plate, he was second behind Henkenius with a batting average of .337. Phifer was an honorable mention all-conference selection.

The rest of the pitching staff includes players who tossed 18 or less innings last year and no other returning Mustang batted better than .300.

“My expectation for this year is to go out every night and compete,” Lindsay said. “I want them to play the game the way the game is supposed to be played. If we are in the upper half of the league offensively and defensively, we’ll be in a good situation.”

The rest of the pitching staff includes sophomores Preston Van Wyk, Brayton Van Dyke and Reed Worth and freshmen Derek Brown and Dane Owens.

Senior Ryan Hill was a second-team all-conference player last year. He returns as the starting catcher after hitting .283 a year ago.

The other three returning seniors include Noah Clark, Ethan Thomas and Chase Kuecker. Thomas and Kuecker should have larger roles this year. Clark will be a three-year starter at third base.

Sophomore Wes Cummings, who injured his shoulder during wrestling season, is not expected to play in 2017, according to Lindsay.

The Mustangs finished 12-18 last season.

They went 7-9 in the Heart of Iowa Conference. Lindsay expects the HOIC title contenders to include Roland-Story, Saydel, Gilbert and North Polk.

To move up in the standings, Lindsay feels his players will need to start recognizing what they do right and wrong and adjusting during games.

“They don’t always have to be told what to do,” Lindsay said. “We will coach the kids, but we also want them to be able to adjust to what they see during the games.”

PCM opens the 2017 season against Greene County at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Prairie City.

They play South Tama County at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Tama.