Clarksville, Ark.-Head U of O baseball coach Jimmy Clark believes his offense and defense will be strong enough to compete in the rigors of the American Southwest Conference, but the Eagles will need to find a way to replace 180.0 innings on the mound.
    
Ozarks lost two of its three conference starters on the mound who combined for 122.2 innings of work. Three other pitchers graduated. Clark believes he has capable pitchers on the staff, but the majority are unproven.
    
"I feel good about our defense and offense, but pitching is somewhat of an unknown," said Clark. "I am excited about the arms we have. They are just not proven. Even the guys we have coming back haven't thrown a tremendous amount. They have been contributors, but they haven't been the main guy. Someone will have to step up."
    
Among the potential starters on the mound include senior right-handers Alex Rodriguez and Nathan Cedor as well as junior right-hander Grady Finley. The trio combined for 92.2 innings of work last spring.
    
"We need these guys to be starters and go deep into games," said Clark. "But Alex is good out of the pen, too. Nathan seems better suited as a starter and Grady is a guy that doesn't walk a lot of batters."
    
While the Eagles had an up-and-down season and didn't qualify for the playoffs in 2014, the club wasn't too far from being among the mix of postseason teams. Ozarks dropped a three-game series against LeTourneau University, but two of those losses were by one run. LeTourneau won the conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Regional. Ozarks, meanwhile, finished 14-26 overall and 10-23 in conference play.
    
"We were close, but we weren't very consistent last season," said Clark. "We were good one weekend and bad the next. It was frustrating. If we can get some contributions from some of the guys who haven't played much, we can be right in the thick of things. We have to figure out a way to win those tight games. We have lofty goals. I think offensively and defensively we will give ourselves a chance. Ultimately, our pitching will determine how far we go." 
    
Clark's teams typically play small ball, using the bunt to advance runners and generate runs. However, with more speed on the roster, he plans to be more aggressive on the base paths.
    
"I'm hoping to steal more bases so we don't have to rely on the bunt so much," he said. "We have some guys that can run. We will do what we have to do. It just depends on the situation."
    
Another NCAA rule change is likely to affect the offensive output of all collegiate baseball teams. A new rule instituted this season will require the use of a low-seam ball, which will allow the ball to travel farther. Ozarks wasn't a power-hitting team last season, but the new rule could produce more home runs at Lonnie R. Qualls Field.
    
"With the new low-seam ball, the ball should go farther," said Clark. "A ball that went 300 feet will now go 320 feet."
    
The Eagles have six starters returning, including All-Conference short stop and right-handed pitcher Andrew Beck. Beck produced a spectacular freshman season by finishing second on the team in batting (.308), RBI (31), total bases (58), doubles (9) and runs (24). He ranked fifth in the conference in saves with three.
   
"Andrew has a chance to be special," said Clark. "He has some pop with the bat and he has a nice arm. The sky is the limit. He is working really hard."
    
All-Conference players Sam Shook and Taylor Parker bolster the lineup with their bats. Shook will see time in leftfield while Parker will play at second.
    
"Sam has a good work ethic," said Clark. "We know what we will get out of him. I'm excited for what he will do his senior year. Taylor is a guy that can drive in runs and plays solid defense. We have some good depth in the infield with Taylor and the others."
    
Third base is open for a new starter this season, while senior John Singler returns at first base. In the outfield, the Eagles will have speed and playing experience in junior Dean Igert and sophomore Alex Smith.
    
"John was our most consistent hitter this fall," said Clark. "He is really getting the barrel on the ball and driving it. We need him to be an RBI guy. In the outfield, Dean has had a good off-season. Alex has a lot of talent and speed and could play in rightfield. There will be some other guys like Zach Walker that could contribute in the outfield."
    
Andres Acosta provides power as the designated hitter and transfer Jake Smith will see action behind the plate.
   
"Andres is back and probably has as big as bat as anyone in the conference," said Clark.
    
Clark believes it will take a total team effort and an improved mentality to pull out close games this season and improve upon last season's record.
    
"Winning breeds winning and losing breeds losing," he said. "Some years, you win those one-run games because you find a way. Other times, it goes wrong and players start to think a little bit too much. A team's mentality has a lot to do with that. We need to play well to win in this conference. We can't have an off day and expect to win."
    
The Eagles will open the season against Rhodes College February 7 in Memphis.