Pressure baseball: the art of patience and speed
The Council Grove Braves have capped a remarkable season with their first Flint Hills League championship since 2018, finishing with a 23‑1 record and the top seed in the Class 3A regional. Coach Matt Wilkens guided the squad through a year that began with high expectations despite losing seven seniors from the previous roster.
Central to their success is a style the coaching staff calls “pressure baseball” – a relentless approach that prioritizes getting on base via walks and hit‑by‑pitches before turning the momentum into stolen bases. The team drew 135 walks and was hit by pitches 70 times, while setting a school record with 185 stolen bases.
The offense has been led by Reid Buttrey, who sits at a .600 average and also anchors the pitching staff with a 9‑0 record and a 2.77 ERA. Several teammates, including Maxton Villalobos, Luke Stewart and Bradley Doornbos, have posted batting averages above .400, giving the lineup a deep and balanced threat.
The team’s depth stems from a blend of returning All‑State talent and role players who stepped into larger roles after the loss of seven seniors, a transition aided by years of summer league and travel‑team experience. This continuity has allowed the Braves to maintain momentum through a 14‑game winning streak to close the regular season.
Looking ahead, the Braves must navigate a tough regional that could pit them against Cheney, Trinity Academy, Hesston and Wichita Collegiate, but the experience gained from a dominant streak and a deep roster gives them a strong chance to extend their season beyond the regular schedule.