First district win for Cassville since 2015

By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

The margins were slim, and down 2-1 with the bases loaded and two outs, it was a strikeout that ended a positive season for Cassville baseball.

The Wildcats won their first district contest since 2015 on May 13, upsetting Aurora 5-4 only four days after losing to the Houn’ Dawgs at home, 10-5.

“Getting that win was huge for our guys this season and big for the program moving forward,” said Shawn Trent, Cassville baseball coach. “We haven’t won a district game in eight years, so getting over that hurdle was great for us. Then, being able to do it against a good team like Aurora and in front of our fans makes it sweeter.”

In the semifinal against Monett on May 16, Cassville gave up a run in the second inning after the bases were loaded and the pitcher balked, advancing runners to make it 1-0. The second run came in the third after a sacrifice grounder to first base allowed a runner across home plate.

Unshaken, Cassville kept the Cubs at bay for the rest of the game. Defensive highlights shone on Danny Roper, who had a diving catch in the outfield in the third inning and provided all three outs in the sixth chasing down fly balls.

In the top of the fifth inning, Bodee Rose hit a single and Isaac Hadlow followed with a double to the center field wall, allowing Rose to jet home.

The run forced Monett to change pitchers, and in the sixth and seventh innings, Monett’s Ace Marcus Young took over the mound. While he struck out the side in the sixth, the seventh was another story.

With two outs, Hadlow reached on a grounder to third, with the throw to first pulling the Monett baseman off the bag. Young then hit two batters in a row to load the bases, but a strikeout ended the contest.

“It came down to which team was going to make a mistake,” Trent said. “We made two that they capitalized on, but it wasn’t just those. We had so many opportunities to bring in a runner — we just didn’t.”

Looking back at the contest, Trent believes more work hitting the ball would be how the Wildcats reverse the score.

“We have a few of solid bats coming back, but we have to be able to string hits together and hit with runners on,” he said. “Limiting our strikeouts is s big one too. We are very young, so I think this area will improve as they get more [at-bats].”

Those factors aside, Trent said he could not be prouder of the Wildcats for battling from start to finish, all seven innings.

“I’m proud of how our guys stayed in it the whole game,” he said. “I had guys coming to me asking if they could try to take an extra base or bunt for a hit. Garrett Ewing said let me put one down; I’ll make it. I believed in him. And, by gosh, he did what he said.

“I was proud of their attitudes. The effort from Danny in right field to dive for that ball was unbelievable. He made several plays out there. Hunter James, who [Monett Coach Michael] Calhoun had no idea who he was, pitched an unbelievable game. He kept hitters off balance and kept great composure on the mound, even when runners found their way on. Our conference is going to know Hunter James now. Our guys were not scared of Monett. They played with complete confidence and belief in themselves. Thats something we didn’t have the beginning of the season.” At the start of the season, Trent’s goal with Cassville was simply to improve on the prior year, as it was Trent’s first as head coach.

“I wanted to win a district game, and I wanted to be .500,” he said. “We missed that mark by three games. I think this group has come a long way. The main thing I told them was by the end of the year were playing our best ball — we did that.

“I believe we succeeded this year as a team. Success isn’t always measured in wins and losses. I think with how we played with much enthusiasm, heart, desire, and love and belief in each other we had a successful year.”

At 12-18 this season, this Cassville team did achieve a record they were not necessarily expecting.

“We really improved at running the bases,” Trent said. “We stole 91 bases this year on 99 attempts, which is a new school record. Our pitchers also came up big for us.

“Our team ERA is 3.51, and last year, it was 5.71. That’s a huge improvement. We allowed 51 less runs this season and we played in four more games. There’s lots to celebrate this year and build on for next year.”

Among those 12 wins, a couple held special meaning for the Wildcats.

“The walk-off win against Mt. Vernon was a big moment for me personally its the first time I had beaten Coach [Nick] Swillum,” he said. “The win against East Newton was nice, but the best was our district win for sure.”

A key to Cassville’s growth this season was its younger players and their commitment to the seniors.

“This guys on the team really wanted to work hard and make the seniors’ final season a good one,” Trent said. “The three seniors we had left an impression on our younger guys. I think they did a good job of showing the younger ones how to play with heart and a desire to win. They showed a lot of maturity and led our team.”

Only three seniors means many returners, and that is exciting for the program, Trent said.

“We do have a lot coming back for next season, and I’ve already visited with each guy and talked about next season,” he said. “We discussed how they can improve and what we expect from each one heading into the summer. Just about each one said they were ready to get started for next season. It makes me feel good as a coach that they eager to start again.”

That eagerness is what Trent hopes will propel the Wildcats to new heights in coming seasons.

“Next year, we want to finish higher in the conference and to improve in districts,” Trent said. “We want to get to that title game next season. I tell the guys that they should aim for doing something the seniors didn’t do before them.”

Part of that success, Trent added, is a credit to the parents, fans and the district, especially with the newly installed turf field.

“I love this team — I love these guys,” Trent said. “And, we have great parents. Thank you to the school, administration and board in trusting us coaches and giving our players a great field to play on.

“We are truly blessed to have such a facility. Our players are truly grateful.”