The Columbia Wildcats’ baseball team has been making strides this year despite its inexperience.

Early losses to Creswell and Northside have been offset by wins against Cape Hatteras, Mattamuskeet, and Plymouth for a 5-6 overall record to go with a 5-5 conference record.

Fifteen sophomores and freshmen go along with four seniors on the Wildcats’ team.

“Youth sometimes is our weakness.  Pitching has been our strength in our wins this year as well as our weakness in our losses. Yet another sign of youth.  If this team sticks together we will be a great team in two years.  We will be loaded with upperclassmen then,” said Coach David Spruill.

Spruill thinks the team’s best ball is still ahead.

“We still haven’t clicked yet on all cylinders and with more game experience this team will get better.  We have been limited in practices with all the rain and still have a 5-5 record.  We have to work on cutting down on the amount of walks that we issue as a pitching staff.  Hitters need to work on staying back and using the whole field when hitting,” said Spruill, when asked to named some areas of possible improvement for his team..

Spruill stated that Dylan Patrick and Quinton Reynolds (leading hitter) have been caring for the team lately with their bats.

“Also Andre Brown has become a super flexible player that can play anywhere and is starting to come up big with the bat in key situations.  De’Mar Lee and Johndre Bowser have been setting the tables at the top of the order, getting on base a bunch,” said Spruill naming various contributions from team members.

Other players whom Spruill praised include:
Keion Holloway who pitched a 9 inning complete game, giving up a hit with two outs in the 9th inning and coming away with a 3-1 victory which was one out away from a no hitter.
Dylan Patrick had a walk off hit against Plymouth in extra innings in a great game that went 8 innings.  He also has 35 strikeouts in 17 innings.
Quinton Reynolds is finally getting back to his old self on the mound picking up the win in the Plymouth game.
Nathaniel Presley has been solid behind the plate.
Brendon Reynolds is playing great defense and doing a good job getting on base in the bottom of the order as well as a good job on the mound in relief.

“Also can note that there are many guys on the bench that are getting better and molding their spot for starting spots on next year’s team.  Pretty much though everybody on this team is pulling their own weight.  We are beating teams that we need to but faltering in late games against the top of the conference.  Thus showing our youth on our team,” said Spruill.