It is officially springtime, and that means it is the last go-around for sports during the 2025-2026 school year. Freshmen are wrapping their first year of high school sports, sophomores are getting closer to having another full year of experience, juniors are about to become seniors who lead their teams, and seniors are completing their final stretch of high school sports and possibly their sports careers. For the seniors on the baseball team, this season means more than anything to them.
During their years of playing high school baseball, athletes have made memories, learned from their mistakes, and taken on bigger responsibilities. Three of the seniors on the baseball team have favorite memories from their sophomore year, including Brennan Deeter, Devin Lacey, and Gavin Smith. When Brennan Deeter was asked about his favorite memory, he replied,“We played Benton Central in the Sectional, and we were in the second game, and the first game went into 11 innings, so we started really late. The game was under the lights. It was a very good game, and when it was over, it was 11:40 pm. We didn’t get back to the school till 12:30. Even though we lost this game, it was still fun.” I remember this game, and it was the best game I have participated in as well. Senior Gavin Smith described his favorite memory, replying, “My favorite memory in high school baseball was probably when we beat Blackford our sophomore year. We all played together, and it was one of the best games we have ever played.” Senior baseball player Devin Lacey had a memory that came from practice and said, “My favorite memory of high school baseball is watching Braylen Mayhill swing out of his shoes and the ball dribbling down first base, and Coach Marschand said, ‘“What a smash Mayhill.”’These memories will last as these seniors look back on their time as Cass baseball players.
Being a senior means taking on more responsibilities. They are expected to step up and be one of the role models on the team. The biggest example of stepping up and becoming a leader is senior, Owen Cotner-Graves. When asked about his leadership role, he responded, “I knew going into this year that it would be a role I would step into, and I just try to embrace being a leader by my actions. I try to lead by example and show the younger guys the ropes of the program.” Owen has been a good role model for the younger guys on the team; he is always encouraging them to be better and giving them tips. Cotner-Graves said his favorite memory included, “My favorite memory from high school baseball was in our junior year beating Northwestern 7-3. The atmosphere of that game was electric with both teams not liking each other, even though they went on and won the conference, we got them that night.” I would have to say that this is also my favorite memory. I remember coming in to pitch this game, and I was able to close the game out and help secure a victory for the team.
Before the season officially begins, the baseball team has Winter Workouts and Victory Field Challenges from December to March. During that time, the players who do not participate in a winter sport come in and tune up their skills twice a week. Senior, Landen Goldsberry, was asked how the team looked after winter workouts, and he said, “I feel through the workouts and victory field challenges, the team looked like they needed to majorly improve. I saw a lot of walking around and people not trying. Since then, we have gotten much better. Our hitting is solid, but our fielding still needs improvement.” Goldsberry hit the spot on his answer, and these are things that we primarily focus on during practice time. Head Coach Greg Marschand had a similar response about how the team looks and can improve, “I feel the team has played extremely well to begin the season. They are playing as a team instead of 9 individuals worrying about their stats and personal success. We as a TEAM, have a goal to find a way to be better every single day. TEAM FIRST MENTALITY is very VITAL.”
The baseball team is a fourth of the way through the season, but that does not mean they are performing perfectly during practice or games. This team could do something special this season. They have lots of chemistry and are willing to work harder each and every day. As the season ages, it is no longer about the wins or losses; for the seniors, it is about finishing what they started. From under-the-lights games to laughing during practice and bonding with their teammates, they will forever cherish the memories they have made and the impact made on their team and community. As the seniors enter and exit the field for the last time in their careers, they will forever carry the lessons learned and the pride that comes with wearing that Lewis Cass baseball jersey. For the seniors on the team, this is the final stretch; it is a chapter that they will never forget.
