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You don’t need to watch them very long to notice the Willard Tigers have a lot of fun playing baseball.
And having fun is easy when you’re winning.
“We are excited about knocking off Glendale because Glendale is really good,” said Willard Head Coach Scott McGee.
The district title win over Glendale sends Willard back to the state quarterfinals for a third straight season.
“Every year, we’re just trying to get to this game and find a way to win it, and now there’s only eight teams left in the state and we’re one of them,” McGee said.
The win, like many victories for the Tigers, is due in large part to the play of senior Kade Biellier.
“He’s kind of Mr. ‘Do Everything’ on the field. He’s kind of you know, he’s going to go to Drury [and] he’s got a chance to be a true five-tool type player,” McGee said.
The senior pitched 3.2 scoreless innings in the district title game.
Then he got a hit, stole a base, scored a run, and threw out a runner at first from right field.
“Whenever I’m not doing too hot or something I can always find something that like, I can bring to the team that day,” Kade said.
The production on the field is a result of tireless work during the offseason, particularly in the weight room.
“This second half of school, I have not been lifting nearly as hard as I was in the first half and it’s really showing on the mound. I was up to 90 [miles per hour] in the offseason but now I’m like down to like the low 80s,” Kade said.
While the physical training may change in-season, Kade’s production and team leadership never wanes.
“I just keep to myself, I’m kind of a shy guy,” Kade said. “So I just come out here and play my best and hopefully everyone can follow that.”
His silent, but respected approach, is part of why he earned Willard’s Justin Atchison Memorial Scholarship, named after the former Tigers baseball player, who died in a hunting accident a few years ago.
“Kade doesn’t try to be somebody he’s not, you know, he doesn’t. He doesn’t go out and try to fake who he is,” McGee said. “He’s just who he is. And that’s who Atch was to. And so it’s really good for him to be able to carry on that legacy.”
Now Kade, like Atch once did, will try to lead his team to the final four.
Willard will play Helias Catholic Saturday in the state quarterfinals
Next season, Kade will play at Drury
