The 2025 season came to a close with the Chiefs finishing 10-12 overall and 5th in conference play. While we had hoped to make a deeper run and finish higher in the standings, this year served as a tough reminder that baseball isn’t always about raw talent—it’s about execution in the big moments. We were in the fight nearly every game, but too often came up just short. Whether it was a missed opportunity at the plate, a misstep on the basepaths, or a ball that just didn’t bounce our way, we struggled to deliver in clutch situations.
That said, this team didn't roll over. Like a team grinding out extra innings, we showed growth and resilience as the season progressed. We tightened things up, competed harder, and found more consistent rhythm in all facets of the game. The numbers don’t lie—this year's squad finished third in school history for total hits in a season (206) and also ranked third in team ERA with a stellar 2.31. These marks reflect a team that found ways to put the ball in play and get outs on the mound, even if the wins didn’t stack as high as we wanted.
Individually, we had some standout performances worth tipping the cap to. Senior Hunter Heinemeyer put together a season for the record books, tallying 38 hits—just two shy of setting the all-time single-season mark—and finishing third all-time in batting average at an incredible .521 clip. On the basepaths, Braylon Krull created chaos for defenses, swiping 21 bags and nearly overtaking the program’s stolen base record. And in what will go down as a moment etched in Chiefs baseball history, Sawyer Young threw the first perfect game ever recorded by a Chiefs pitcher—a 19-0 gem against Manawa that showcased pure dominance.
As we say goodbye to our five seniors—Hunter Heinemeyer, Isaiah Carton, Blake Carton, Cody Young, and Sawyer Young—we recognize the athleticism and competitive spirit they brought to the field. While many of them lacked long-term baseball experience due to other sport commitments, they still brought energy and gave us everything they had. There’s no doubt that with more time in the game, this group had the potential to make a deeper postseason push. Baseball is a game of reps, reads, and reaction—and that only comes with innings under your belt.
Looking ahead, there’s reason for optimism. We return Braylon Krull, one of the conference’s top hitters, along with Jackson Young, a seasoned catcher entering his third varsity campaign behind the dish. Our pitching staff will be inexperienced but capable—if they’re willing to put in the work in the offseason, they have the tools to keep us in games and give us a shot to climb back into title contention.
Perhaps most exciting is the wave of young talent set to join the roster. The hunger for playing time will push this group to improve, and the internal competition should raise the standard across the board.
There’s work to be done, no doubt. But if this team embraces the grind, learns to execute in pressure situations, and grows its baseball IQ, the Chiefs can absolutely return to the top tier of the conference standings. The game rewards those who prepare, who hustle, and who compete on every pitch. And next season, we plan to do just that.
"Everything counts" in baseball. It’s more than just a phrase—it’s a mindset. Success in this game doesn’t come from one big moment, but from a thousand small ones done right. It’s built on consistency in your preparation, discipline in your decisions, and integrity in how you carry yourself—on the field, in the dugout, and beyond. Every rep, every pitch, every choice—it all adds up. Because in baseball, just like in life, everything truly counts.
Until next spring—Go Chiefs!
-Coach Ben Prodell
