Year 11 for Anthony Markowitz at the helm of the Emporia High baseball program is underway, and the Spartans are hoping to build on one of the program’s best recent seasons.
The Black and Red continue to prepare for the 2026 campaign after setting a recent program mark with 15 wins a year ago.
The Spartans will have some holes to fill after graduating five seniors from last season’s squad. Among those departures are two pitchers who are now competing at the collegiate level — Madden Seidl at Kansas and Owen Ruge at Emporia State. With that experience gone, Markowitz says the biggest question early in the season is who will step up on the mound.
One familiar arm returning is senior Chase Harrington. Harrington logged more than 34 innings last season and finished with a 4-1 record while striking out 39 batters. He was also productive at the plate, hitting .349 with five doubles, two triples and 18 RBI.
Micah Gray also returns after leading the Spartans with a .356 batting average and scoring 24 runs. Gray earned All-Centennial League First Team honors at the utility position last season and is expected to again be a key contributor.
Behind the plate, Grady Howe returns to anchor the defense. The future Emporia State Hornet brings leadership and experience to the Spartans as they look to take another step forward this spring.
Markowitz says he is excited about the experience returning to the roster and is eager to see how players have developed during the offseason.
Emporia will open the season on the road March 26 against Ottawa.
