(Anita, IA) — It was Mick Long’s first season as CAM baseball’s head coach, and it was far from a disappointing one. The club had their best record since their state-qualifying team in 2022, and almost quadrupled their stolen bases from last year with 151 despite playing three less games. The team averaged .363/.460/.485 to finish off the season, the strongest slash lines in the Rolling Valley Conference. The Cougars exited the playoffs earlier than expected, however, taking a 3-2 loss to the Newell-Fonda Mustangs in the substate quarterfinal. Looking back on the loss, Long says that anything can happen and credits the Mustangs’ pitching:
Nonetheless, Long was happy with the overall season:
CAM is graduating four seniors in Chase Spieker, Makade Paulsen, Lukas James, and Brayden Chester, the first three playing vital roles on the mound and Chester being the team’s long-standing catcher. Long is confident in his bullpen going into next season, with Carson McKee, Collin Bower, and Kayden Winther looking to see more appearances on the mound:
Complete Interview with Head Coach Mick Long:
