Over the past couple of years, the Wright City baseball team has fallen short of stated goals.

The Wildcats aim to change that this season, though.

Last season’s 16-7 team not only finished behind North Callaway in Eastern Missouri conference play but also bowed out early in the district tournament.  

Senior third baseman/pitcher Logan Rose said that being ready to play at the unit’s best in May, starting with the district tournament and, hopefully, continuing on to state, would be the ultimate end game.

“Getting past that point and giving ourselves a shot to go to state would be the goal,” Rose said. “We just need to get our bats going and keep our defense (strong).”

Wright City Coach Cody Bair said that while a prolonged postseason run is something every team shoots for, no one can worry about May just yet because this season is going to be a work in progress.

The coach said that everything starts with the first inning of game No. 1 on Friday when the Wildcats open play at the St. Clair Tournament.

“We really just try to take it one game at a time, one inning at a time and win every single pitch that we can,” Bair said. “As you compile those together, then you’ll have success. We’re thankful to our community for always supporting us. We’re looking forward to that (continued) support and we’re looking to have a great season.”

One starter who won’t be in the team’s line-up from the beginning of the season but hopes to contribute with off-field efforts before returning at some point as the spring progresses is sophomore catcher Kayden McCurdy.

McCurdy will spend the earliest days of the season working his way back from injury but he will be raring to go once healed, he said.

“I’m coming off hip surgery and I’m working hard to support my team,” McCurdy said. “We’ve got a freshman catcher coming in and I’ve been doing my best to help him get ready. I’ll be back halfway through, and I want to see these boys go win a district title because we have the talent to do that.”

For as important as the long-term build towards the postseason can be, there is a major in-season goal that centerfielder Carter Strong says the team is ready to chase.

Winning the Eastern Missouri Conference title is something the junior feels Wright City should aspire to this season.

“North Callaway has been tough,” Strong said. “The past few years, we’ve come in second. We’ve wanted to do that. We’re fired up and we want to do it this year.”

For junior pitcher/infielder Kolby Bass, the team’s success will come from the combined effort required to achieve its goals.

Bass said that there can’t be any one player who puts his stats or efforts above the team.

“I want to be a better team player, in general,” Bass said. “I want us to be a good community. We’ve got some newer kids and they need to feel welcomed. The older guys need to be able to teach the younger guys things I think the energy this season is going to be great and it will help us succeed.” 

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