By Jason Avery
News-Times Staff
When it comes to Junction City baseball, the word rebuild is not a part of the vocabulary.
After seeing a core graduate that was a part of winning a state title in 2014, reaching the state semifinals in 2015 and the state finals in 2016, it seemed the Dragons might take their lumps in 2017.
However, the emergence of four underclassmen coupled with the return of several upperclassmen eased that transition, and the Dragons won 25 games en route to reaching the 3A state quarterfinals.
Chief among the Dragons' newcomers was freshman Keelan Hodge, who was superb in Junction City's biggest games.
For his efforts, Hodge is the News-Times 2017 Rookie of the Year.
A right-hander, Hodge fashioned an 8-2 record with a 3.20 ERA.
In 47 innings of work, he allowed 37 hits, walked 28 and struck out 70.
However, Hodge was at his best down the stretch.
The freshman won each of his last five starts, allowing just 21 hits and eight runs in 31 2/3 innings. He walked 16 and struck out 43, capping his season with a brilliant performance to beat Atkins 1-0 in the opening round of the state tournament.
When he wasn't on the mound, Hodge was the Dragons' shortstop, hitting. 244 with 30 runs scored, 19 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.
But Hodge wasn't the only young Dragon who played a key role in their success.
Sophomore Bryce Ware was also a key two-way standout.
The Dragons' first baseman hit .299 with 28 runs scored and 15 RBIs.
On the mound, Ware went 5-3, registering 26 strikeouts in 27 innings of work with 23 walks.
Ware came up with a terrific outing in the third-place game of the regional tournament, tossing six hitless innings with nine strikeouts to lead the Dragons to a win over Smackover.
Sophomore Charles Hoof provided solid offense from the bottom of the order for the Dragons.
An outfielder, Hoof hit .305 with 15 runs scored and eight RBIs. He also went 3-for-8 in the Dragons' three games in the regional tournament.
In the early part of the season, Jack Smith had several huge hits for the Dragons.
Junction City's designated hitter, Smith hit just .229, but on consecutive days, Smith came off the bench to deliver a two-run double in a win over McGehee before rifling a three-run double in a 3-2 win over Fordyce.
A sophomore, Smith scored 14 runs and his 24 RBIs ranked him third on the team.
However, Junction City wasn't the only school to have a freshman make an impact.
Parkers Chapel's Blake Wells showed he can be dominant as well.
A left-hander, Wells was scintillating in the finals of the 7-2A East District Tournament, striking out 14 en route to a three-hitter in the Trojans' win over Harmony Grove.
He also struck out 10 in a win over eventual 2A state champion Spring Hill.
Overall, Wells went 3-6 with a 1.75 ERA.
In 44 innings of work, the freshman allowed 41 hits, 30 runs (11 earned) with 22 walks and 71 strikeouts.
Another pitcher that the Trojans will be relying on in the future is sophomore Michael Brotherton.
A left-hander, Brotherton got his feet wet as a freshman before playing a bigger role in 2017.
Overall, Brotherton went 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA. In 22 2/3 innings, he scattered 24 hits, walked 11 and struck out 17.
The sophomore went the distance in a win over Bradley, striking out four batters in five innings. He also turned in a terrific outing in relief in the Trojans' contest against Harmony Grove in the finals of the 2A South Regional Tournament, tossing three scoreless innings.
The Trojans also got a solid contribution from freshman Jordan Arrington.
Arrington, who split time between the outfield and at catcher, hit .230 with 20 runs scored. He drove in 10 runs and stole six bases.
En route to qualifying for the state tournament, Smackover also got a lift from a freshman.
Baylor Brumley, an outfielder and pitcher for the Bucks, will be heavily relied upon next year. At the plate, Brumley hit .267 with 14 runs scored and 11 RBIs. He was also 6-for-6 in the stolen base department.
After working just 1 1/3 innings as a freshman, Brumley has the opportunity to log more innings next year due to graduation.