The varsity baseball team’s season came to an emotional close after a hard-fought 12-6 loss to Magruder in the 3A West Regional Championship. While the final score wasn’t what the Patriots had hoped for, the season told a different story — one defined by growth, resilience and the emergence of a promising young core.
Wootton ended the regular season with an even 8–8 record after a five-game win streak. Though not flashy on paper, that record was built through competitive games, many of which were decided by just a few runs. More importantly, those games helped shape the character of a team still finding its identity. Facing adversity week in and week out, the boys demonstrated mental toughness and an ability to grow from each experience. “When you play the last two state championships twice in a season, no one can take breaks during the season. Our locker room stayed strong throughout the season,” senior Jack Kerns said.
That mindset carried into the postseason. In the first round of playoffs, the boys faced top-seeded Damascus, a team widely viewed as the best in Montgomery County. The Patriots entered the game as heavy underdogs, with few giving them a chance. But they rose to the occasion, delivering one of the biggest upsets of the year with a 6–5 victory in a back-and-forth thriller. It was a defining moment for the team, proving not only that they could compete with elite programs but also that they had the belief and composure to win in high-pressure moments.
The boys then moved on to play reigning 3A state champions, the Colonels out of Magruder, in the regional finals. The boys ultimately fell behind early in the second inning and never gained enough momentum to take back the lead.
Reflecting on the season, the boys faced a lot of adversity. Underclassmen were called upon to fill key roles, especially as injuries affected depth, including junior Josh Reid, who broke a bone in his forearm. That trial-by-fire approach gave younger players a chance to develop fast, and many of them stepped up. “We’ve got a lot of guys coming back next year who got real varsity experience this season,” junior captain Kai Schmelzer said. “We also only have a handful of seniors graduating, so we could make a deep run at states next year.”
With the season now over, the seniors reminisce on their high school careers. Although they were unable to win any trophies during their four years, they gained lifetime friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. “I’m proud of how far we’ve come and the brotherhood we created this year,” senior Luke Brunner said.
As the Patriots look ahead to 2026, there’s a renewed sense of optimism. With a strong core of returning players, valuable postseason experience, and the hunger to build on what they’ve started, the boys are ready to take the next step. The lessons from this season — especially the confidence gained in close, high-stakes games — could be the key to a deeper playoff run next spring.
