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Branson baseball hasn’t had a 15-win season in more than ten years.
The Pirates are on track to make that happen this year with a new coach, a new field, and a new tradition of winning.
“I’m very happy with the kids and how they’ve embraced it, how hard they’ve worked and to be in the spot that they’re in right now is pretty exciting to watch,” Branson baseball coach Kirk Harryman said.
The Pirates started the season 8-0. Setting a winning standard off the bat.
“I think it started at the beginning of this year. The mood changed, Harryman brought in some great ideas, practices were fun, and we’re excited to be here,” Branson senior Carter Jenkins said.
Leading the way, in his first year at Branson, is longtime Joplin coach Kirk Harryman.
“I think he brought in a lot of enthusiasm. He really believed in us, and he came and goes ‘I know things haven’t been the way you guys want it to but I’m here and I’ve done this for a long time and I’m going to come and we’re going to make a change,’” Jenkins added.
Harryman brought that change.
“We want to build on the basic fundamentals pitch it, pick it, and swing it a little bit on offense and that’s something that we’re going to strive for,” Harryman said.
That philosophy is earning these Pirates success they’ve never had before. It’s a new, exciting feeling for senior Carter Jenkins.
“Me being a senior, finally having a winning season it’s awesome. I look forward to coming out here every day. When we’re having fun and winning, we just keep winning. It’s kind of hard to explain but it’s been a heck of journey so far and I’m loving every step of it,” said Jenkins.
With these new-look Pirates, comes a new-look home field.
“Especially everybody hears about the new field they want to come see it and come watch games. No bad hops thankfully,” the senior added.
No bad hops on the turf, or rain outs.
“We haven’t had a rain out on a home date, I’m not sure how many people who don’t have turf can say that,” Harryman said.
The Pirates have their eyes on a district title, their first in nine years.
