By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

The return of a solid pitching staff and five starters in the field has Joplin High School baseball coach Kirk Harryman enthused about this season.

The Eagles open the season against Carl Junction at 5:30 p.m. today on the Carthage diamond to cap a four-game session at Carl Lewton Stadium.

“I’m pleased with the way we’re progressing (workouts began on Feb. 25),” Harryman said Thursday. “It will be great to get outside and play a game.

“I like our pitchers ... especially our left-handers (juniors Barrett Noirfalise and John McDermid). ... when we’ve been able to get outside,” Harryman said.

“Defensively, we have several returnees, and you can see the improvement in them,” Harryman said.

“Offense simply is a concern because we haven’t been outside enough and we haven’t seen enough live pitching,” Harryman said.

Harryman said that Calvin Burr and Shayne Hoke, both senior right-handers, complete the Eagles’ “Big Four” on the mound.

Returning in the field for the Eagles are junior Cory Macy behind the plate, Hoke at third base, junior Dane Kolkmeyer at shortstop, Noirfalise in center field and senior Travis Kunce in right.

Harryman said Jake Brummer, a sophomore, and junior Taylor Byrd would start today at first base and second, respectively.

Harryman said senior Garrett Ramsey — since McDermid is scheduled to work on the mound — probably will start in left field against Carl Junction. Corey Simmons, a senior, might serve as the designated hitter.

Hoke and Noirfalise were all-Ozark Conference performers for the Eagles in 2007. Hoke, who’s signed with Missouri Southern, averaged .451, hit four home runs and drove in 22 runs. Noirfalise averaged .375 with two homers and 16 RBI. Each scored 21 runs.

Burr, with 23, logged the most innings on the mound of the returnees. Noirfalise worked 21, Hoke 14 1/3 and McDermid 12 2/3.

Hoke was 2-0 with a 2.67 earned run average. Noirfalise’s corresponding numbers were 0-3, 2.67; Burr 1-4, 4.87 and McDermind 1-1, 4.97. Burr and Noirfalise notched a save apiece.