This year’s Wright City baseball team left an undeniable mark on the program.

The Wildcats finished with a 16-9 record – their highest win total in nine years. They also advanced past the first round of district play for the first time in two seasons with a 9-2 win over Winfield on May 17 and secured second place in the EMO Conference standings.Wright City's postseason run came to an end on May 20 in the Class 4, District 8 semifinals with an 11-1 loss to Tolton Catholic, who went on to claim the district championship. The contest was played at Southern Boone High School.

“I’m really proud of how hard the guys worked and the leadership that the seniors were able to bring to the table,” Bair said. 

Coach Cody Bair touted his team’s resilience throughout the season, particularly in the face of numerous injuries. 

“We lost a lot of injuries that could have derailed the team, but those guys were able to hold it together and make sure the guys could learn from their mistakes, while encouraging them and making sure we continue to move forward no matter who was on the field,” Bair said. 

Compared to previous years, Bair noted his squad was more youthful and had to grow into their roles.

“At the beginning of the year, they kind of didn’t know what their roles would be. Then, they figured out how they could best help the team and you could see that we started playing a lot better baseball,” Bair said. “You could see it in all aspects of the game, like base running and our approaches at the plate.” 

Bair specified the team’s wins against South Callaway, Montgomery County and Hallsville as some highlights of the season, as well as some individual growth. 

“Just watching the guys compete. For example, Kolby Bass grew into a competitor, he’s always been a competitor, but he was channeling that energy in the correct manner on the mound,” he said. “Kayden McCurdy really grew at the plate and we also had a lot of guys play really good defense.” 

Another meaningful moment came when senior Duan McRoberts returned from injury to play in the final games of the season.

“It would have been nice to have him an entire season and allow him to be able to ease into it, because getting into that situation is kind of difficult with how much pressure is put on you, but he was always there working hard and having a positive influence on our team,” Bair said. 

Bair went on to praise the rest of the senior class which consisted of Drew Elsenrath, Micah Boeckman and Jake Orf. 

The coach said the four seniors often showed the underclassmen what it took to be successful not only on the field, but off the field as well. 

“They’re very successful and they work hard. They treat people the right way and are very respectful. I want to say thank you to the seniors and I know they are going to be successful in whatever they do.” Bair said. “I couldn’t be prouder of those guys and I can’t say enough good things about them.” 

As for the future, Bair is looking forward to watching the players work hard in the offseason, as they have in years past. He also hopes they continue to uphold the legacy the seniors left behind. 

“The seniors have set a very, very high bar. My advice to the younger guys is to look at that legacy they have left and continue to meet that bar and hopefully exceed it and continue to push the program in the right direction,” Bair said.