This is the season the Branson baseball program has been waiting for.
“These guys have known all along what we are capable of, it’s just exciting from a coaches standpoint to see all the hard work pay off,” said Branson Head Baseball Coach Kirk Harryman.
“We came into this year with high expectations and we’re achieving that,” said Branson senior Aaron Strohm. “It’s good to see, we are trying to go out there and just play baseball. The best seven innings we got. Our best seven innings are better than the seven innings the other teams got.”
With 12 seniors, the Pirates are stacked with veteran leadership and are grinding on a 20 plus winning season. The first time in 14 years.
“We have a really good pitching staff and hitting the ball has been so much easier for us,” said Branson senior Andrew Bristow. “Been really able to score runs and help our pitchers out and win more games.”
But it’s not only the seniors contributing to the win column.
“We have a freshman playing shortstop right now,” Andrew said. “He’s been great, he’s fitting right in.”
Branson is up against a tough district, but nothing is stopping these Pirates from finding gold.
“We have had some good wins, we played some really good teams close” said Aaron. “I think come district time that we are going to win some close games. We are going to win some good baseball games.”
That mentality will not be changing anytime soon.
“They have helped build a culture where when we step on the field we expect a win and I think they have passed that on to the younger guys,” Harryman said. “They do a great job helping our younger guys teaching and helping them through the process. Whether it be drills, practice, or sticking around during JV games.”
The Pirates begin postseason baseball on May 15.
