HASTINGS, Neb. – The Adams Central Baseball team has high goals heading into the Class C State Tournament for the second straight year.

"The way I look at it is we've made it, we're playing in it, why not try to win it?" said Adams Central Head Coach Tim Stroman. 

It’s the 5th year as a spring program for the Patriots, who have quickly risen to success.

Adams Central made state last year for the first time and also won their first state tournament game as a seven-seed.

The upperclassmen who were part of last year’s team are back and hungry to go farther in the tournament this year.

"Last year going into state, we didn't really know what to expect," said Senior third baseman Kaleb Wahlmeier. "Obviously, it didn't end they way we wanted it, but this time around we're really comfortable, really settled in we feel like." 

This year’s team on paper is the best team in the program’s brief history, led by the talented squad who isn’t just the upperclassmen, but the entire team.

"It's not just the seniors being leaders this year, everybody's been a leader, the sophomores, the freshman are talking and being leaders," said Senior pitcher Jacob Reichstein. "Kids are being great to each other, we don't have anyone that stands out to each other."

The Patriots have already broken several team single-season records this year including most team wins (21), runs scored (231), hits (232), triples (16), and stolen bases (164), but the team is still looking for one more accomplishment during their postseason run.

"Our final goal and what we all have our mind set on is a state championship," said Wahlmeier. "We want nothing less than that and we all want it more than anything, and so we won't stop at nothing short of that."

#3 Adams Central kicks off the state tournament this Saturday at 7 p.m. in Papillion against rival #6 Wayne, with the two squads playing some tough head to head games over the past two years.

The Patriots lost their 2025 opening day game to Wayne 12-11, and the Blue Devils bested Adams Central 1-0 in a district final in 2023 and 2024. 

"We're familiar with them, and they're going to be tough," said Stroman. "I know the guys want some redemption from the beginning of the year, and from the last two districts (finals,) and what better stage to get that redemption than the state tournament?"