This group of seniors in Ash Grove are bringing a new approach to the plate.
“I think it’s a new confidence they bring knowing that they have the capability of putting on runs really quick against anybody we are facing,” said Head Coach Berrah Brown.
Brown’s Pirates have averaged more than 10 runs per game – leading them to be the only undefeated team left in the entire state.
“They are just a very competitive group of guys, they want to win and that’s what they are here to do. They want to get better,” Brown said.
They says they’ve gotten better all year by staying loose.
“We take the game serious [sic], but we don’t stress about things,” said senior Brock Mooneyham. “If something bad happens, we take the next play, and we move forward and we just don’t let things take us down.”
“We’ve been not taking it too seriously and been having a lot of fun,” said senior Parker Crow:
Part of being loose includes their pregame tradition.
“I know a lot of the guys like to wear eye black because if they don’t wear eye black they won’t play good [sic],” Brock said.
That routine starts with junior Bryce Davis and Crow.
“If you don’t have eye black you just feel naked,” Bryce joked. “I love wearing it.”
“I wear eye black every game,” Parker added.
It’s more than a black streak – there’s an art to it.
“You have to start with the line,” Bryce said. “Then you go down and fill it in.”
“Get it all on your face,” Parker added. “We’ve done it for so long together that we don’t have to critique each other anymore.”
That begs the question – does it help?
“I don’t know that I’d say it helps,” Parker laughed. “I feel like the sun doesn’t target my eyes as much.”
In the end, it’s more about the team motto.
“You look good, you feel good, you play good,” Parker said.
“Look good, play good,” Bryce said.
“That’s how they are they want to look good when they get out here, they want to look good before the game,” Brown said.
The Pirates are hoping to take that style and easygoing mentality on a deep postseason run.
“Just go out there and have a heck of a lot of fun and hopefully bring home some hardware,” Parker said.
“Try to have the most fun with each other and hope to have a good run,” Brock added.
That run begins as the top seed in the Class 2 District 12 tournament.
