Hard work pays off for duo this season

Grain Valley baseball players Hunter Bly, left, and Michael Wilkey will share a lifetime bond as they each made the Eagles varsity team this season after being cut in their previous tryout efforts. Photo credit: Bill Althaus


by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News

Michael Wilkey and Hunter Bly are living the dream.

They are members of the Grain Valley High School baseball team whose never-say-die attitude paid off in silver dollars this season as they each made the Eagles squad.

Both were late cuts last season, and their hard work and grit paved the way to making the final cut in 2025.

"Michael and Hunter have quite a story to tell," longtime Eagles baseball coach Brian Driskell said Saturday morning after the Eagles tied Truman 0-0 and lost 7-3 to Lee's Summit West. 

Bly pitched a scoreless fourth inning for the Eagles and Wilkey hit a long drive that Truman's left fielder was able to run down.

"Guys like Michael and Hunter are the reason you coach," Driskell continued. "We have so many guys try out for our baseball team and we have to make some hard decisions. Every year they were cut, I told them to work hard and keep coming back. And this year - they made the team, and I'm so proud of them."

Their triumph proves that not all victories can be found on a scoreboard.

"I wasn't going to give up," Bly said. "You know what they say: 'keep on keeping on.' I didn't make it as a freshman, didn't try out my sophomore year and got cut last year. Now, here I am - a member of the varsity team."

As he talked about this season, he sported an ear-to-ear grin. So did Bly.

"This was just a jamboree - and I was as nervous as I'd ever been in my life," Bly said. "Look, I'm still shaking. I had butterflies, and was nervous and excited and I pitched a shutout inning. I'm never going to forget our jamboree as long as I live."

Neither will Wilkey, a junior who brings confidence, versatility and five gloves to every practice and game.

"I didn't make the team the past two years, and this year, when I did make it, I was thrilled, so excited," said Wilkey, who brings an outfield, infield, catcher's mitt, pitcher and first base glove every time the Eagles have a game or practice.

"I told coach I'd do anything to help the team. I guess I'm the utility guy. I don't care where I play. We have so many great pitchers I don't know if I'll see much pitching, but if they need me, I'm ready."

When asked how he manages to bring all the gloves to each game, he smiled.

"A very big bag for all my gear," Wilkey said. "I've got to get my catcher's gear in there, too."