Team Previews are some of the most read content on Prep Baseball Report. Coming in at number nineteen on the Most Viewed Missouri Articles of 2017 is the 2017 Team Preview for the Willard Tigers. 

The Tigers finished the season at 24-5.  After being crowned District Champions, Willard fell to the eventual state champion Jefferson City Jays in the first round of the state playoffs. 

Here is a look at the 2017 Willard Tigers Team Preview from January 5.

#19 - 2017 Team Preview: Willard Tigers

Shon Plack
Missouri Scouting Director

As  we  prepare  for  the  upcoming  2017  high  school  season,  we  will  be  taking  a
preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Willard HS
Nickname: Tigers
Class: Class 5
Conference: Central Ozarks
Head Coach: Scott McGee
Years as head coach at school: 9 years
Twitter Handle: @willardtigersbb
Team Website: www.willardtigersbaseball.com
2016 Overall Record: 23-11
2016 Conference Finish: 4-3 (3rd Place)
2016 Post­ Season Finish: District Champs; Lost in Sections

Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 1
Number of Returning Starters/Position Players: 3

Players to Watch
Ben Morris, OF, 2017 (Meramec CC)
Ben Fugitt, RHP, 2017 (Truman State)
Brady Owen, 2B, 207 (North Central)

NEWCOMERS
Garrett Rice, 1B/RHP, 2020

X-Factor
Connor Poulson, 3B/RHP

Season Outlook
Willard has won four district titles in the past five years and have won 107 games during that span, including two Final Four appearances.  The winning tradition should continue in 2017.  The Tigers return three seniors who will continue their baseball careers in college and defend the district championship, RHP Ben Fugitt (Truman State), OF Ben Morris (Meramec CC) and 2B Brady Owen (North Central CC).  3B Connor Poulson is developing into one of the top hitters in the Central Ozark Conference and will provide a strong middle of the order with Morris to an already balanced line-up.  Watch for Garrett Rice to emerge as one of the area's top freshman. In 2017, the Tigers look to add another district championship and compete deep into the state playoffs.

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