The baseball team enters the end of their season and sets goals as districts are right around the corner. This year, the team has 9 seniors who contribute a lot to being a leader to the ones looking up to them. The seniors include; Jayce Depriest (Center Field) Bradley Watson (Right Field) Sonny Garrett (Right Field) Reece Maxwell (First Base) Drake Murrell (Second Base) Kendall Bagley (Short Stop) Garrett Ferguson (Third Base) Logan Gemes (Catcher) Josh Bunch (Pitcher).
“It’s sad to know it’s my last time playing baseball, but I’ve made the most out of it with my boys. I try to be a positive influence for the team and help out the underclassman when I can,“ senior Jayce Depreist said.
These seniors have found ways to step up and fill the roles needed for the team. All nine seniors have played baseball since their freshman year.
“For 9 seniors to stick it out 4 years is super rare, now for 9 seniors to be able to contribute and be legit starters on our team is even more special,” head coach Johnny Eierman said.
With the seniors contributing so much to this team, this year is very sentimental as it comes down to some of the last moments. As this is the last season they will all be together, they find ways to make the most out of it and enjoy all the last as a team.
“I love going to B-Dubs to make memories with my boys for some of the last times,” senior Kendall Bagley said.
With the end of the season, the preparation for districts are beginning.
“We are preparing for districts by touching base on the little things that can be the difference in a tight game in districts. We are focusing on staying positive and keeping the vibes up as we get closer to districts,” Eierman said.
With 9 seniors and headed into districts, there is lots of motivation expressed throughout the team.
“I am motivated more than ever this baseball season because this is the last sports season I will ever play in high school for the rest of my life,” senior Logan Gemes said.
Baseball isn’t just a sport to some of these guys.
“This is my last year on the diamond, and I’ll miss every inning. Not just the wins and losses, but the grind, the dugout jokes, the early mornings, and the teammates who became family. Baseball taught me more than just a game, it gave me a place to grow,” senior Joshua Bunch said.
The team has a very special bond. This group of seniors have been together for over four years now, while welcoming the underclassmen as they come up. So far the team is 15-7 with five regular season games left. As districts are right around the corner, the team is heading into it with the district champion title from last season. The Cats won in the championship game against Cole Camp last year.
“Why not be back to back district champs? Last year to make it happen might as well make it count,” senior Bradly Watson said.
This season, the Cats took big wins on 5/3 to gain the Conference champions title. They got a first round bye, and then defeated Sherwood 11-2 in the second round. The Wildcats faced El Dorado Springs in the championship game and defeated them 6-3.
“Getting the Conference champion title for my last year on the team was a great memory for it being one of my last ones playing baseball with my boys,” senior Drake Murrell said.
