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In sports, we see the outcomes on the field, but often times it’s what happens away from the field that allows those moments to become reality.
“You see them in the hallways, they’re walking together. You see them in class they’re sitting by each other. On weekends, they hang out,” said Purdy Head Baseball Coach Joshua Hughes.
For Purdy baseball, those bonds have forged results.
District champions in three off the last four years, these Eagles know success.
“I think there’s three components that we have and that’s pitching, defense and offense,” said senior Mason Schallert. “If we’re struggling on one thing the other two things are going pick us up.”
Schallert knows that first hand, serving as one of the team’s best pitchers and batting in the middle of the lineup.
“Rounding third base [on a homerun] and looking at home and seeing your teammates right there, that’s a lot of fun,” Schallert said.
Schallert and his fellow seniors have led the Eagles to fourth straight conference title this year, even as the program has shifted to the SWCL.
It’s impressive, considering the league’s reputation for strong baseball play.
“I don’t think most of the teams expect us to be hitting the ball this well and just making plays,” said senior catcher Carl Hughlett.
Like many good teams, some of those plays come from behind the dish from players like Hughlett.
The Eagles have tallied a 22-1 overall record to go along with their conference crown.
Now these seniors are looking to add to their impressive resumes.
“A legacy would be to get to that first final four for Coach Hughes and the school, and I think this team has the ability to do that,” Schallert said.
“I think as long as we stay locked in and focused, I don’t think there is a limit,” Hughlett said.
Hughes knows it’ll be his seniors pushing that limit as far as it’ll go.
“I want the kids to take ownership of the program because it’s theirs,” Hughes said. “They’ll get all the glory and they’re the ones who deserve it. If they’re doing things right, they deserve it.”
