The Wright City Wildcats are currently riding a five-game winning streak, moving them above the .500 mark for the first time this season in the process.
The Wildcats started the season 0-5, with all five losses coming at the Troy Tournament. They have since gone 9-3 to move above the .500 mark for the first time this season.
Wright City (9-8) beat Silex and North Callaway last week by a combined 29 runs to move their winning streak to three games. They beat Silex 14-0. They beat North Callaway 15-0.
They followed up those two wins with triumphs over Van Far and Mark Twain earlier this week.
“It’s starting to click,” Wright City baseball coach Ryan Raterman said after last week’s win over North Callaway. “I think that South Callaway game and then having two tough games on that Saturday against Warrenton and Fort Zumwalt East, kind of upset us a little bit. So our bats have kind of been on fire. This isn’t a fluke. We’re doing what our offense is meant to do. We’re running the bases well. We’re bunting well. Everything’s just starting to click at a good time.”
New to the leadoff spot in the game against Silex, freshman Duan McRoberts hit two home runs to help the Wildcats score eight first-inning runs. McRoberts and Mason Kunkel each scored three runs. Hayden Waters had two of the team’s four doubles in the game.
Raterman made shifts to the lineup, including moving McRoberts to the top of the order. McRoberts hit in the bottom third of the order earlier in the season.
“Duan hit two home runs in the first inning. That’s not usually what he does,” Raterman said. “But he puts the ball in play a lot and he puts pressure on the defense. And then just kind of bumped everybody. And everybody’s in the right spot right now. It’s not necessarily set but we’ve scored 29 runs in two games. Right now it’s working and we’re going to stick with that moving forward.”
Waters threw five scoreless innings for Wright City in the game against Silex. He allowed two hits. He did not allow a walk and struck out eight Silex batters.
Wright City also started fast in their clash with North Callaway. After senior Kyle Johnson pitched around allowing two baserunners to reach base with one out in the top of the first inning, the Wildcats scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning. After McRoberts struck out to lead off the inning, Wright City scored four runs before another out was recorded. Logan McCartney walked and Johnson was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base. Waters doubled to score both McCartney and Johnson. Ian Wolff and Nick Moore were both hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jake Mitts hit a two-RBI double to give Wright City a 4-0 lead. McRoberts singled later in the inning to score two more runs.
Wright City added eight more runs in the second inning. They scored the 15th run with one out in the third inning to end the game.
Johnson pitched three scoreless innings for Wright City.
Raterman believes one of the keys for the offensive efficiency has been getting runners on the basepaths.
“We’re really executing right now in all aspects of the game the past two games,” Raterman said. “Played good offense and defense and bunting and baserunning and pitching. It’s been a quick postgame speech the last couple times. I’m like we’re playing to our potential so let’s just keep doing that.”
Wright City continued its winning streak Monday with a 17-0 win over Van Far. They won the game in three innings.
Nick Moore led the team with three RBIs. Logan McCartney and Bryce Williams each had two RBIs. McCartney, Moore, Duan McRoberts, Hayden Waters and Kyle Johnson each scored three times.
The Wildcats beat Mark Twain 11-1 Tuesday.
Wright City is scheduled to host Hallsville today. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. They are slated to host Bowling Green Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.