The Willard Tigers baseball team, with a senior class that has achieved 123 victories and a 2024 state title, is preparing for a significant challenge this weekend. The team will compete in the Class 5 Final Four at the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex, aiming to conclude their high school careers with another state championship.
Senior Leadership and Teamwork
Led by pitcher Levi Hilton, the Tigers will face Platte County, the 2025 Class 5 champions, in the semifinals on Friday night. Hilton, along with 11 other seniors, has been a part of the team since childhood, creating a strong bond that has contributed to their success. “We’ve just been playing together since we were little, and we just have a huge bond together,” Hilton shared. “We know how each other plays and we’re one of those teams that don’t have too many stars, but we all work together and work as a team.”
In their journey to the semifinals, Hilton struck out 10 batters in the district title game and combined efforts with teammates Cade Hayter and Sean Slagle to secure a 6-0 victory over Marshfield in the quarterfinals.
Future Prospects
Several seniors have committed to continuing their baseball careers at the collegiate level. Hilton and catcher Jarrett McGee are set to join Missouri Southern, while Slagle and catcher Masyn Beck will reunite at Mission University. Hayter, a switch-hitting shortstop, will attend Fort Scott Community College, and outfielder Hunter Kelley will play for Culver-Stockton University.
Despite the abundance of talent, not all seniors start every game, but they have embraced their roles within the team. “You can sit there and say, ‘Man I feel like I’m getting cheated’, or you can say: ‘Man I’m in a great program, I’m getting better every day and playing big games in a smaller role,’” said head coach Scott McGee.
Aiming for Victory
The Tigers’ success is attributed to their competitive spirit and close-knit relationships. “We always just compete as hard as we possibly can, and we always believe we can win,” said pitcher Kyler Adams. The team’s camaraderie, developed over years of playing together, is a key factor in their achievements.
Hilton, who was the winning pitcher in the 2024 state championship game, will bring his experience to the mound against Platte County’s Brennan McLaughlin, last season’s Class 5 Player of the Year. “It’s really comforting to have Levi on the mound for that situation,” McGee noted, anticipating a closely contested game.
This Final Four appearance is a fitting farewell for outgoing head coach Scott McGee and a testament to the dedication and teamwork of the Willard Tigers’ senior class.
Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.
