The road had not been easy. It had almost ended earlier, but none of the battles, none of the games mattered now as the Wildcats began to create a human pile in the middle of TR Hughes Ballpark. Ben Lovell got up off the ground, face caked with dirt, and a smile graced his face. The Wildcats had just notched another state victory, a threepeat.

The house was packed at TR Hughes with Westminster and Oak Grove fans alike. The game got off to a rough start offensively, with great defense being played on both sides. Davis Vanderslice was on the mound for five innings, until Lovell came in to finish the game.

“I kept thinking, I am glad I didn’t blow state and the threepeat,” said Lovell.

Then in the top of fourth, Shane Benes walked up to the plate with Bryce Bell on base. He had been off track lately at the plates, and was itching to get his streak back on course. On a great pitch, Benes smashed the ball into deep left field. The ball flew and flew and landed behind the bleachers. Benes rounded the bases, ecstatic.

“The first thing I said to myself was ‘finally’. It was the first ball I had hit past the pitcher all weekend. There was no greater feeling than trotting around the bases and being welcomed at home plate by Brett Bond for the handshake,” said Benes.

Benes’ homerun also tied the school record, set only a year ago by Tate Matheny.

The game then stood at 2-1 with the Wildcats winning by just one run. Throughout the rest of the game, the defense ruled the diamond, and no more hits were earned.

Then in the bottom of the 7th, Oak Grove’s bat began to show life. An earlier hit had put a man on base. A ball was hit to deep center, causing Tyler Catlett to run back after it. Both teams held their breaths, given this play would end the game, crowning one team as champion. Catlett jumped, and the ball rested in his hand. The Wildcats stormed the field.

“At first, it felt so unreal, but as soon as  I realized what happened, I was obviously very happy,” said Catlett, senior.

The players shared Catlett’s feeling of not only joy, but relief.

“Watching Tyler catch that final out was amazing, and the game really came down to that final out,” said Ben Mitchell.

The Wildcats had won their third state championship in a row, and what better way to celebrate than with a dogpile.

“My first reaction was to go to Kyle and jump and celebrate. Then it was to dogpile,” said Benes.

“My initial reaction was to throw my glove as high as I could, and then run as fast as I can to to the dogpile,” said Jordan Smith, senior.

There was also the feeling that this state win was more deserved.

“I feel that this time, with teams we played, we earned it much more than the previous years,” said Brett Bond, senior.

The 2013 Wildcats were coming off back to back state championships and were looking to extend their reign over high school baseball. The odds were with them to win, and the expectations were great, which left them with a long way to fall, but they didn’t.

“I still remember Shane telling me before the season that winning a state championship was an unreal experience. And I remember telling him that it would be the same as winning the other state championships in the summer with prospects but this high school one was definitely something to remember,” said Kyle Kinner, senior.

As their season started things started to fall into place, but an early season loss against HIckman did bring an end to a 35 winning streak. It was the first of only three losses all season for the wildcats.

The Wildcats almost lost their state bound dreams early, in districts against Borgia. The Cats were trailing in the bottom of the inning, until the bats came alive. Brett Bond, senior, batted in the tying run, while Caleb Hicks, senior, batted in Shane Benes, who was intentionally walked.

“Winning in walk-off fashion was amazing. From that moment on, I knew we were going to win state,” said Andrew Colgrove, senior.

The game was one for the history books with many players and coaches calling it a close second to the state finale.

“The comeback against Borgia was definitely my favorite part of the season,” said Travis Ralls, senior.

Shane Benes and Tyler Catlett, seniors, said it was one of the best games they have been a part of.

This was definitely a season to remember because of the comebacks, but also because of the growth of the relationships that transpired over the course of the season.

“In the beginning there was a tension in the air, but in the end we went from that place to winning state together as a team,” said Caleb Hicks, senior.

Bryce Bell, outfielder, also said that team bonding sessions were one of  the most important factors this season.

By the end of the season, the bonds had been made, and the results certainly show in term of wins.

“Our chemistry we have is what makes us play like a team and pick each other up. Its awesome to be apart of it, especially as a young guy,” said Luke Matheny, junior.

So now that the Wildcats’ season is over, and off season training has begun, everyone is asking one question.

Is a Fourpeat in their future?

The team sure thinks so, and they give good reasons for their thoughts.

“I think that a four peat is certainly possible, given that we didn’t lose much offensively. We lost a few really good pitchers, but [Brennan] Hehner, Jordan[Smith], and Luke [Matheny] can pick up the slack,” said Catlett.

Kinner has similar feelings.

“You know dang well we are going for that fourpeat. We are all so close now, and we won’t have to worry about the chemistry problems we had at the beginning of this season.”

If the Wildcats win, they will be the first team in state history to win four straight state titles. There are great outlooks for next season, but no matter what happens, it’s pretty safe to say that the Wildcats will be the team to beat in the 2014 season.

“We are stronger, closer than ever, and much more experienced. I think everyone is looking forward to seeing how good we can really be next year as a team,” said Bond.