Mexico baseball had a strong core of seniors in its 20-win season a year ago and has another strong senior core this year.

While the Bulldogs will be replacing players who filled holes around the diamond and in the pitching rotation, they think they have what it takes to win the North Central Missouri Conference championship in the final year of the conference.

Head coach Daniel McCarty said he has coached the five seniors since they were freshmen so they are aware of his expectations. They each have also grown into great leaders and baseball players.

“These kids have been grinding every year about being mentally tough and being in the moment,” McCarty said.

Drew DeMint, who was all-conference and is committed to play baseball at Columbia College, is the team’s top bat returning and has gained muscle to help with his gap power and speed. DeMint will be key in center field once again and is also part of a four-man rotation that McCarty has in mind along with fellow senior Brady Fox, Pearson Kleinsorge and Brayden Arnold.

Fox has always been a top-two pitcher in the rotation, McCarty said, and will be relied on to be a leadoff hitter. His son, Chance McCarty, will also be a senior after displaying good ability to reach base. Kaden Benne and Kinser Groves each return after filling various roles on varsity in the past, and coach McCarty said Mexico’s run prevention should also be returning.

“Our defense is going to pretty solid this year,” McCarty said. “Second to that is going to be our pitching. We always hold about a 2.10 to 2.50 ERA. We should be around that, if not better, this year. Each and every one of them knows to not give up free bags. We stress that each day in practice.”

McCarty said there are sophomores that can “jump-start” the team this season, including Kleinsorge. He will be the team’s primary catcher and one of four catchers that Mexico has right now. Colton Dickey brings much speed and is “shifty,” as shown when he was called upon as a pinch runner.  

Zach Jahn will be a junior returning from injury. Jahn can pitch, but McCarty is excited what his bat could bring to the lineup.

“We’re going to give him a good look at third base and as a pitcher,” McCarty said. “I’m really excited for Zach Jahn’s bat to come to life this season. He definitely has potential.”

McCarty is excited for Mexico baseball’s next chapter and for each player’s next chapter.

“Our No. 1 target is the conference since this is the last year of the conference and it would be good to go out with a bang,” McCarty said. “Then obviously districts and go to state. One of my personal goals for each of these kids, especially the seniors, is that they learn enough skills and communication that they’ll be just fine when they go to college or the workforce.”