As players emptied the dugout following Monday’s 3-1 loss to Winfield, disappointment was evident. The Wright City baseball team’s defeat had reached beyond the scoreboard. The Wildcats were …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Attention subscribers
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue
Need an account?
Print and web subscribers
If you're a print and web subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.
Online-only subscribers
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Wright City Dejected After Fourth Straight Loss
Posted
By Derrick Forsythe, Record Sports Editor
As players emptied the dugout following Monday’s 3-1 loss to Winfield, disappointment was evident.The Wright City baseball team’s defeat had reached beyond the scoreboard.The Wildcats were beaten up emotionally, baffled as to what has exactly happened with a group that admits it’s severely underachieving.“We’re in a slump,” lamented Coach Dave Chapman.Dejected players milling around afterward echoed that frustration.After starting the season 6-3, Wright City has dropped four in a row. And while Winfield has traditionally been a strong competitor in the Eastern Missouri Conference, the Warriors entered Monday’s game with just one win to their credit.“It’s really pretty simple,” asserted Chapman. “Our offense is not generating anything. Until we get our big boys through the middle going again, we’re going to struggle.”The Wildcats left an alarming nine runners on the bases, once loading them to no avail.“We’re not getting that timely hitting,” said Chapman. “We had bases loaded with a 3-0 count and couldn’t push anybody through.”Wright City’s top hitters combined to go 0 for 4 on Monday.Freshman Andrew Pfuhl scored the Wildcats’ only run in the bottom of the fifth, driven in by junior Austin Marsh’s single.Marsh recorded two of the team’s three hits, with senior Tony Smythe adding the other.Smythe, a senior outfielder, contributed where he was able as a designated hitter. But his services will be limited the remainder of the season while he recovers from a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.And the news doesn’t necessarily get any better for the Wildcats.Senior Austin Meine left Monday’s game limping, after colliding with third baseman Donovan Mozee on a fielding play. Meine finished the inning at shortstop, before Chapman altered his lineup.Senior Tyler Tuepker started on the mound, striking out 10 batters, walking three and giving up five hits.“We got good pitching today, but we made three uncharacteristic errors that led to three unearned runs,” said Chapman.Tuepker exited in the sixth inning, replacing Meine at shortstop.Senior Carlos Quiles pitched in relief, allowing two hits.“We’re putting pressure on our defense and pitching,” said Chapman. “And if we make a misplay here and there, it seems like it’s coming back to haunt us right now.”The Wildcats are facing a dilemma with a possible injury to Meine, who was slated to pitch this week.The schedule will intensify over the next several weeks as Wright City scrambles to make up the majority of its postponed contests.
Wright City senior Carlos Quiles closed the game on the mound during the Wildcats' 3-1 loss to Winfield on Monday.
