3/28/23
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Caden Nesbit has heard all the stories about his dad Brad's baseball exploits.
Over Spring Break, Nesbet made some history of his own.
The Alma senior earned his first career victory in the semifinals of the Alma Wood Bat Spring Break Tournament by tossing three innings of a 6-4 win over Panama. Nesbit struck out three and didn't allow any earned runs.
Alma (3-8, 1-1) resumes 5A-West play Tuesday against Siloam Springs. The Airedales host Clarksville Friday.
"I just want to represent my team as much as possible," Nesbit said. "Our pitching staff, it's pretty good. But our defense, it's really good. Our hitting, sometimes it's not all there."
It was Saturday during Nesbit’s outing. Branson Brogan had a key two-run triple and Axl Spain added a two-run single in the Airedales’ 6-4 victory.
Nesbit has appeared in seven games, throwing 8 ⅔ innings with six strikeouts and 16 walks. With the exception of a clunker at the Texas Tournament (10 walks and four earned runs in 1 ⅔ innings against Fort Worth Chism, Nesbit has been spot on.
In fact, he hasn't allowed an earned run in the other six appearances. He has pitched five straight scoreless innings, striking out five and walking four.
“Being his senior year, Caden understands the importance of a consistent bullpen, and we’re going to lean him to throw in more games with less rest,” Alma coach Brian Fry said.
Nesbit said he enjoys the camaraderie from within the clubhouse.
"I just think it's really fun," he said. "It's really fun to be around all of your friends."
Born on June 3, 2004, Nesbit said he was always “younger” than most of his teammates.
"I was always younger, because my birthday's late, so I played with a lot of young kids and older kids. I had a variety to pick from," he said. "I know everyone on this team. Axl, he's older than me, so he played with older kids, so I got to know some of them, too."
Nesbit’s dad, Brad, was a Booneville standout before helping to lead Carl Albert State College to the junior college world series in 1992.
Nesbit uses his fastball to get off hitters, he said. He’s trying to perfect other pitches, too.
"It's always better to have a better secondary pitch, and I'm still working on that," he said. "My curveball is my secondary pitch."
Alma went 2-1 over Spring Break, shutting out Howe (5-0) before Noah Likens’ five strong innings. The Airedales’ lost to Ozark Saturday, 5-4. Freshman Braden Green tossed three solid innings of relief.
Alma is 4-2 in its Wood Bat Spring Break Tournament over the first two seasons.