Anytime Missouri plays Missouri State it’s an important game no matter the sport. On Tuesday night, when Mizzou baseball traveled to Springfield to play MSU, it was extra special for three area players returning to Southwest Missouri.
For Willard’s Garrett Rice, Glendale’s Ty Wilmsmeyer, and Lincoln’s Jackson Beaman a trip to Hammons Field is always special.
“I grew up here, so this place always has a special place in my heart,” Rice said.
“(I) Always grew up idolizing the Springfield Cardinals and think one day I might be out on this field and to be able to come out and do that and compete at a high level is certainly really cool,” Wilmsmeyer added.
“Growing up, coming to these games just to see it from a different viewpoint is pretty cool,” said Beaman.
Even as the away team, all three high school standouts had plenty of support.
“It’s awesome to see all my old connections come back and be able to make a game,” Beaman said.
“Come back and see tons of friends and family, and the former Glendale team here cheering me on it’s pretty cool for sure to see all that support come out,” Wilmsmeyer said.
“To see that in the stands is pretty cool, hits pretty hard because I was like that with MSU guys and Cardinals guys when I was young,” Rice added.
Time as teammates is unique for Wilmsmeyer and Rice, who were once fierce rivals in high school.
“Garrett’s a great dude, great ball player obviously. It was pretty fun coming together in college and saying ‘hey what about yada yada yada way back when.’ We always razz each other back and forth but it’s really cool to come together and be able to fight for one cause now,” Wilmsmeyer said.
“Ty’s a really good guy, me and him really clicked from the beginning to come in and be teammates is pretty cool,” Rice added.
For the Southwest Missouri natives, a day at their home ballpark is a chance to reflect.
“It’s kind of a trip down memory lane,” said Rice.
“Really cool coming back down memory lane and seeing everyone,” said Wilmsmeyer.
“This is where we played such and such so that was pretty cool to show the out-of-towners where we come from in that type of sense,” added Beaman.
