Risley, Airedales excited about season
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Eli Risley gave the Alma Airedales a breath of fresh air during last summer’s American Legion season. Then, in the blink of an eye, it was over.
Not just with baseball, either.
The Alma junior injured his knee during summer football workouts. He wasn’t officially cleared to resume athletic workouts until Dec. 20.
But he’s making up for lost time.
“The day I got cleared, I went threw a bullpen the day after, and I've been trying to get in one bullpen a week to try and get a feel for it,” Risley said. “I’m not yet 100 percent yet, but we’re going to get there.”
Risley and the Airedales open the season on Feb. 19 against Prairie Grove, then return home for a pair of early March outings against Fayetteville and Pea Ridge.
Risley can’t wait.
“I’ve been out six months; I’m just ready to do something,” he said. “I’m starting to feel like myself.”
Risley joins a crowded outfield, coach Brian Fry said, that includes Camden Curd, Kolby Kimmons, and newcomer Michael Taylor.
Kimmons and Branson Brogan are the team’s lone seniors on a roster loaded with sophomores and juniors.
And the freshman class, Fry said, may turn out to be his best yet - a stellar crop that includes Dylan Jackson, Cade and Sammy Moore, Brycen Lester, and Carson Curd.
“We’ve got a lot of depth,” Risley said. “I feel like we have at least 12 to 15 guys who can play anywhere. We can have substitutions; we can mix and match. We can make a deep run.”
A left-hander, Risley figures to play one of the outfield positions and pitch. The Airedales have more pitching depth than Fry’s had during his four seasons as coach, with Curd, Brogan, Cash Wilson, Piercen Howell, and Braden Green, among others, capable of throwing multiple innings.
“I haven’t been with these guys long, but I can already feel the bond that we’re going to have this season,” Risley said. “We all get along, we teach each other, and there’s something you can learn from each other, whether it’s a life experience or baseball knowledge. I love this group.”
With Brogan anchoring shortstop, the Airedales’ infield will include power-hitting first baseman Easton Daily, sophomore Logan English, and third baseman Brayden Driscoll.
Fry likes his catchers, too. Sheppard Osborne and Avery Bowerman both saw extensive playing time in 2023.
“Going into my junior year, preaching to the young guys, I really like that,” Risley said. “And our upperclassmen, I have all the respect in the world from them. I’m learning from them; we’re learning from each other. I feel like we’re going to make a run this year.”
The Airedales open 5A-West play on March 12 at Harrison. The Airedales have three home conference doubleheaders with Siloam Springs, Van Buren, and Mountain Home.