The Cape Central Tigers are off to a 2-0 start in 2023 and senior outfield Cade Emmenderfer has provided an offensive spark.

In the Tigers’ most recent 12-2, win Emmenderfer went 4-4 with 3 RBIs including a 2-run home run.

“I’m just seeing the ball well,” Emmenderfer said. “I think the success I’ve had is attributed to the work in the offseason the coaches have put in with us. We started things a lot earlier this year so definitely all the credit goes to the coaches for preparing me for the season.”

Emmenderfer is typically slotted in the leadoff spot and it's a role that he relishes.

“Your job is basically to get on base and get the rally started,” Emmenderfer said. “The biggest challenge is being the one seeing the pitcher for the first time so you’re just setting the tone for how he’s going to play.”

On top of his role in the leadoff spot, Emmenderfer also takes a lot of pride in his defense in center field.

“That’s a big area of my game,” Emmenderfer said. “I have to make sure I’m keeping in check with everyone else and making sure I make the plays.”

Emmenderfer is in his senior season and he said it has brought him even more motivation for this season.

“This year the goal is a district title,” Emmenderfer said. “We haven’t done that since 2012 so that’s the goal. I’ve never gotten an experience like that in high school so I definitely want it.”

The Tigers' bats have been key in the first two games of the season and as a team they like what they’ve seen.

“We put in the work this offseason,” Emmenderfer said. “That goes back to the coaching staff and all the players that showed up to the offseason workouts. We know we have the talent and we know we have the ability to (win a district title).”

Emmenderfer said he and his fellow seniors felt a sense of urgency to bring a district title back to Cape Central.

“We know we can do it,” Emmenderfer said. “We’ve come up short in years past since we’ve been here and there’s a sense of urgency because it’s our last year. We also want to build this program up and get Cape Central baseball back to what it should be.”

Cape Central (2-0) is back in action at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 25 when the Tigers host Poplar Bluff (1-2) at Cape Central High School.