By Ryne Turke
Coming off a 23-win season that was anchored by a pair of senior All-State selections, the question for West Central baseball entering this spring was simple: who would step in to fill that void?
Through the first stretch of the season, part of that answer has come from an unexpected place, a freshman. Thrice Kirkpatrick, a right-handed pitcher who also splits time between third base and shortstop, has wasted no time making his presence felt.
Through the Cougars’ first seven games, Kirkpatrick launched four home runs, tying him for the most in the state, according to MaxPreps, establishing himself as one of the area’s most dangerous bats.
Kirkpatrick says stepping onto the field as a freshman with high exceptions is something he’s been able to manage through the first month of the season.
“There will always be some pressure to start off the season,” Kirkpatrick said. “Everyone wants to come out and prove a point. But as a freshman I believe the key is to play free and loose, which helps take the thinking out of the game.”
That mindset, especially at the plate, has helped translate directly into early wins for the Cougars over Liberty, Greenfield Northwestern and Triopia.
“The key for me is confidence,” Kirkpatrick said. “Every at bat you gotta think you’re better than the player on the mound. Also just being selective and hunting fastballs.”
It’s a mentality that reflects both swagger and discipline, two traits West Central head coach Grant DeWitt says stand out immediately.
“Thrice has come into high school this year and instantly made an impact at the plate and on the mound,” DeWitt said. “He has natural ability, and you can tell he has worked extremely hard throughout the years to be this competitive early on in his high school career.”
DeWitt also pointed to Kirkpatrick’s advanced elite offensive approach, something you rarely see from a freshman.
“I believe he’s got off to a good start with his ability to be aggressive at the plate without expanding the zone,” he said. “The sky’s the limit for Thrice. We have had several great baseball players come through this program, and he has the potential to put his name right there on the list with the others. He has a great work ethic and asks questions about the game daily, trying to learn it at a more in-depth level.”
While the numbers jump off the page, Kirkpatrick’s value goes beyond the stat sheet. He’s already carved out a defined role in the Cougars’ lineup and he understands exactly what’s expected of him.
“I feel like my role is to knock in runners when they’re on base,” he said. “I feel like my hitting has an impact on the game. Every time I hit one out of the park the boys get up and the energy is great. It helps us to play strong the rest of the game.”
That energy has been critical for a West Central team navigating a unique challenge: youth. Dewitt notes the Cougars, who have zero seniors, started the season with seven players who didn’t even have a driver’s license yet.
Despite the inexperience, leadership hasn’t been lacking. Upperclassmen like Tucker Arnold and Anthony Hance have helped guide the younger players through unfamiliar territory.
“They are always picking us up,” Kirkpatrick said. “They help with scouting other teams because they’ve seen most of the upperclassmen. We’ve got several underclassmen playing this season and don’t know what to expect from our opponents. Tucker and Anthony have led the way.”
Kirkpatrick has also looked beyond his own dugout for inspiration, drawing motivation from local standouts who have advanced to higher levels. Players like former Cougar Dalton Hutton, now at Lincoln Land, and former Routt Rocket Cory Ronan, currently in the Kansas City Royals minor league system, have shown what’s possible.
“The bar has been set at West Central with tons of recent success,” Kirkpatrick said. “This team is a special one as well and bound for big things.”
Keep your eye on the Cougars as they lay the foundation for the future, with Kirkpatrick firmly established as the centerpiece.
