After just an eight-win season in 2014, the Cassville Wildcats showed signs of turning the program around with a respectable 14-12 record last year. If they continue turning the proverbial corner and claim a conference championship in 2016, they'll have certainly earned it.
That's because nothing seems to come easy in an always-competitive Big 8 Conference filled with teams ready to rattle its opponents on any given day.
But before Big 8 play gets underway, a pair of tricky non-conference foes await the Wildcats early in the season.
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“Our schedule is always going to be a challenge,” first-year head coach Jade Samborski said. “We start the year against two Class 5 schools in Glendale and Carthage, and the Big 8 Conference is going to be tough again.”
Cassville also still has to contend with baseball power Carl Junction this season despite its transition to the COC.
Within the conference, Cassville has two dates in April circled on its calendar – the 19th and 28th – when it will battle Lamar and Monett, respectively.
Lamar was victorious in its first 21 games last year before falling to El Dorado Springs in district tournament play, while Monett posted a 20-win season of its own.
Samborski, who comes in from Harrisonville and takes over the reigns from former coach Kyle Wood, will rely on five seniors to lead the charge through the arduous season slate.
Pitcher and shortstop Noah Hadlow will be relied upon to produce at the plate. Signed to play at State Fair Community College next year, Hadlow is a three-year starter for the Wildcats and is a critical piece for Samborski.
Catching duties will be handed to Leigh Cox, who is expected to provide another loud bat.
Rounding out the senior core are Alex Dyer (CF/P), Alex Vanderpool (1B/P) and Chad Howerton (OF/P) – three players that will help guide the underclassmen on the varsity roster in addition to contributing in the batter's box and on defense.
“What excites me the most this season is the guys competing and growing throughout the season,” Samborski said. “We talk about getting one percent better every day and we are seeing that in them so far.”
If the Wildcats can stay injury-free and find the right balance between their senior class and younger talent, the door is open for Samborski's team to survive its schedule and make a run come May.
“The expectations for the year are to compete every day in all phases of the game, put the best effort toward our goals and, by district time, be playing our best baseball of the season.”
Cassville's season-opening contest against Glendale will be held Mar. 19 in Springfield.
