A tougher schedule is what the Purdy baseball team hopes will bring the squad back to district champion status and beyond this season.

Joshua Hughes, Purdy baseball coach, said the Eagles have lost only two and return seven starters this year, experience showing with the team’s 12-3 record through Thursday.

“As always, we plan to be prepared for anything that we have come at us,” he said. “We have really beefed up our schedule to prepare us for the playoffs. We have a great pitching staff and defense. As our bats come a long, we should be a competitive baseball team.”

Six returning seniors lead this year’s team in catcher Bosten Goetz, shortstop and pitcher Ezequiel Garcia, center fielder and pitcher Travis Hughes, first baseman and pitcher Trey Hughes, second baseman and pitcher Alexis Aldaba and utility and pitcher Josh Brown. Also returning are junior left fielder and pitcher Hunter Lee and freshman first baseman Will Henderson.

“Bosten is our field general,” He has been our varsity catcher since his freshmen year. Bosten had a great season in the top of the order last year and we look forward to him being there again. Ezequiel has been our shortstop the past three years and in the top of our rotation on the mound. We look forward to him having a huge season at both positions and the plate.”

Travis and Trey Hughes are twins, and both look to have stellar senior seasons.

“Travis had a break out season on the mound for us last spring and produced in the middle of the order for us,” Hughes said. “He will continue to throw and be in the middle of the order. Trey has had injuries the past few years and hasn’t had a full fall or spring. When he is healthy, he gives us a great bat and some power from the left side. He will also see innings on the mound for us.”

Aldaba and Brown have also been key cogs for the Eagles in recent years.

“Alexis was our No. 2 or No. 3 on the mound coming into the spring, but an early injury limited him on the mound,” Hughes said. “This fall, we saw him thrive in a relief role and has earned the ball to get tough outs in crucial situations. He also gives us a great middle of the order bat. Josh has become a crucial part of what we do, he can play multiple positions and has worked his way into the top of our rotation after a great fall season. He will be given bigger innings on the mound this spring and we look for him to be huge for us.”

Lee and Henderson offer some youth for Purdy across the field.

“Hunter stepped up as a sophomore after some injuries to some of our pitching staff,” Hughes said. “He will continue to get big innings on the mound and we look for him to take off at the plate. Will played a lot of first base and outfield as a freshman, and we look for him to continue to fight for those positions. His defensive skills will help us win games. With more time in the cage, we could see him become a huge part of our lineup.”

Top newcomers to the team this year are junior JJ Felipe and freshmen Easten Goetz and Damon Mahurin.

“JJ moved back to Purdy this year and has become a weapon immediately,” Hughes said. “Lefthanded on the mound and at the plate, he has also become a great right fielder. Easten earned a starting role this fall in left field and designated hitter and became our leadoff guy. We want him to continue to get stronger and more comfortable with Varsity baseball. As he does this, he could be a huge weapon for us at the top of the order.”

Since COVID-19 canceled the 2020 season, the Eagles have suffered first-round and district title losses to Marionville, losses they are ready to avenge.

“Coming into this year, I think we are ready to reach our goal we seniors have set since our freshmen year,” Garcia said. “After being so close the past two years, we are excited to see what is in store for this season.”

“I think this season could be special,” Aldaba said. “We have a special group and can do some great things. I’m excited and can’t wait to see what we can do.”

“With a heavy upperclassmen team, we look to be leaders on the field, that will work hard and be prepared for anything,” Bosten Goetz said. “We’ve got a special group this year and we are really excited about this season.”

Purdy took a five-game win streak into its road game against Crane on Tuesday. The Eagles face McAuley Catholic on the road today (Wednesday).