Menu
Redbirds optimistic ahead of next season
ELLSINORE — The East Carter Redbirds finished the baseball season with a 13-9 record and their fourth consecutive Black River League championship. After falling in the second round of the Class 2 District 2 tournament, head coach Ethan Boyer reflected on the past season and looked ahead to next year.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team’s recent success despite being a pretty young team,” Boyer said.
“Clinching our fourth consecutive league title is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players,” he said. “It shows that our program can consistently compete, and that’s what you strive for as a coach.”
His plans for next season include building on the lessons of the past season.
“We’ll take what we learned last season and use it to strengthen our team for the upcoming year,” Boyer said. “Our goal is to always give ourselves a chance to win our district.
“We fell short last year, so I believe that will motivate us. We aim to maintain a winning culture and strive for being the best we can be by the end of May.”
Most of the Redbirds team is returning for next season’s campaign.
“We have several key players returning next season who will play crucial roles both on and off the field,” Boyer said. “Most of our starters were freshman and sophomores last year, so having them come back a year older and more mature is exciting.
“They have enough experience now at the High School level that they can take the next step and become great as a team,” he said.
“Our one senior this year is J.J. Pflum. He is returning after becoming an all-conference and all-district player in his junior year. He will play a big role in leading this team and showing the younger guys what is expected around here,” Boyer said.
“Bryce Stahl, Will Baugus, Cordell Duckett, Cason Price, and Seb Ochoa are also players I expect to lead the way this year.”
While Boyer doesn’t have many newcomers on deck for this season, he said, “I expect Torryn Burkhart, Chayse Bradshaw, Zander Reynolds, Chase Kearbey, and Trevor Davis to have a bigger impact this year.”
He is keeping his team active with a few summer games scheduled and open fields for training. In the meantime, he’s preparing for the challenges of a new season.
“Expectations for myself as a coach is to always focus on creating better men,” Boyer said. “I want to create a positive and competitive environment where our players can grow both as athletes and individuals.
“I really believe a team will play above their potential when high standards and precedents are set,” he said. “The goal every year is to reach or surpass whatever people believe our potential to be.”
Boyer believes East Carter can look forward to another successful season in 2024-25.
“Overall, I’m optimistic about our team’s future. We have a good mix of personalities and talent that can make a great team,” he said.
“I believe they are excited and eager for the upcoming year. We have the potential to build on our success and compete at a high level again next season.”