EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – There is a buzz this season about the youthful talent on the Excelsior Springs varsity baseball team. Coach Aaron Holst enters his 21st season leading a crew of athletes with little varsity experience. Of the 23 players out this season, only three are seniors. And only one of those, Jalen Soria, has played varsity, Holst said. Soria will lead the Tigers by playing multiple positions. Holst expects Soria to be at the top of his pitching rotation, and to play shortstop and center field. Holst will look to another senior, Matthew Smith, to help lead Excelsior Springs’ group of underclassmen. Like Soria, Smith, a player Holst had expected to work into the lineup last season before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled spring sports, will play a utility role. Holst expects Smith to see time at catcher, in the middle infield, in the outfield and at pitcher. To complement Soria and Smith, the Tigers are looking a...