The Wright City Wildcats baseball team suffered a tough 8-3 loss to Gateway Legacy Christian Academy on March 31.

The game started strong for Wright City on their home turf, with senior Jake Orf hitting a double that brought Micah Boeckman home for an early 1-0 lead. However, the Wildcats were held scoreless in the next two innings. 

Coach Cody Bair said despite the loss, he saw improvement from his team.“There were some plays that we left out on the field that we’ll make next time and have a different outcome, but I feel like the boys got more comfortable and played better as the game progressed,” Bair said. 

He pointed to Carter Strunk’s line drive hit in the fifth inning as one of the key moments that helped shift the team’s momentum.

“That’s when the guys really started picking each other up,” Bair said. 

From there, Strunk scored one run, and the Wildcats shut out Gateway in the last two innings. 

“I feel like we competed really hard. I was proud of how the boys played,” Bair said. “With the first pitcher, he threw a little bit differently and we were hitting him pretty hard, but we were hitting it at people – that happens sometimes. Their shortstop was making some next-level plays.” 

Bair also touted his pitching staff. Logan Ross started the game, pitching three innings and allowing six hits, while Kolby Bass finished the game, striking out three batters. 

“Ross had them off balance all day and then (Bass) came in and did a really nice job for us. (Orf) hit the ball hard,” he said. “If the balls go a little bit different, then it’s a different outcome so our guys played really well together.” 

The Wildcats are now 2-5 on the season and have scored just five runs in their last three games. Bair emphasized the need for a centered approach at the plate moving forward. 

“If we take the same approach that we did here at the end of the game and really focus on getting our pitches and pitches that we can do damage with, then we’ll start to roll,” Bair said. 

Wright City has also been dealing with the absence of senior Duan McRoberts, who is sidelined with an injury. Bair noted that there is no set timeline for his return. 

“It’s tough to replace (McRoberts) on the field because of his leadership skills and his ability, but (Strunk), a sophomore, has stepped up big time and he played a real nice outfield for us today,” Bair said. “The guys just get an opportunity now to grow and play and we’ll see where we go from there.” 

Wright City will play its next game at 4:30 p.m. on April 3 against Veritas Christian Academy High School at home.