Kickapoo baseball hopes Fortnite mindset will help them survive playoffs

In the battle royale that is the Class 5 state playoffs, the Kickapoo baseball team is fighting to be the last one to survive.

With a duo like Mason Auer and Zac Salyers, the Chiefs are confident they have what it takes.  

Kickapoo is one of the last 16 teams remaining as they enter Tuesday evening's state playoff game at Carthage and are a game away from going just as far as they went in 2017.

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Chiefs head coach Jason Howser said this year's team is as tight-knit of a team he's ever had and his players agree. The coach just hopes the guys on the team aren't staying up too late playing video games. 

After going to school all day and going to practice, the players rush home to put on their headsets while hopping on Fortnite — an open-world, co-op survival video game that seemingly everyone is playing. 

Salyers, a left fielder, said he plays the game for the comradery with his teammates.

"I'm not very good at it," the left fielder said. "It's just addicting."

Although he might not be the best at the video game, Salyers has been good on the diamond. 

Salyers is regarded by Howser as one of the best offensive players on the team. He broke out this year and was named the Howard Bell Player of the Year at the end of the regular season. 

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"It may have surprised some people, but it didn't surprise the coaching staff," Howser said. "He has so many ways he can hurt the opposing team with his speed and way he controls the bat. He's a multiple threat guy."

Another multi-threat guy has proven to be Auer, the team's junior center fielder. 

Auer was the starting quarterback on the Kickapoo football team and has already verbally committed to playing baseball at Missouri State. 

If MSU ever forms a Fortnite team, Auer most-likely won't be playing on that team. 

"I play it quite a bit... but I'm not the best at it," Auer said. 

Auer said he likes being able to talk to the guys on the team while trying to survive in the game. He's also enjoyed playing a key role in helping the Chiefs reach the Sweet 16.

In a district semifinal matchup with Ozark, Auer allowed four hits and one earned run in 6.1 innings. He also struck out eight batters. 

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"His upside is very apparent," Howser said. "He possesses a strong arm. On the mound, he's electric. He has the dedication to the sport and I think he's seeing the benefits of it."

Howser also sees upside in the baseball team rallying around their video game. He calls the game "the great pacifier." The coach doesn't have to worry about road trips because the team is in their rooms playing the game. He tells them to get to sleep at a reasonable hour.

Kickapoo hope to knock Carthage from the playoffs on Tuesday at 6 p.m.