Growing up in Wright City, Braxton Hickman didn’t have to search far to find his passion—it was right in his backyard, in the form of a baseball diamond. “Baseball was always my favorite sport—that’s all I ever wanted to do. I was always doing something that involved baseball,” he said. That lifelong love of the game continues to drive him every time he steps on the field for the Lumberjax.
When asked who helped shape his journey in baseball, Braxton didn’t hesitate. “My family inspired me, and my biggest influence is my coaches and my mom,” he said. Their guidance and support have helped him stay grounded, focused, and motivated.
Team chemistry can make or break a season, and for Wright City, it’s a major strength. “The team’s chemistry—we bond very well. When we’re not playing ball, some of us are hanging out doing something. We all get along very well on and off the field,” Braxton said.
His contributions to the team come both in the field and at the plate. “I play first base and bat in the middle of the lineup. Every morning, me and Rayner Beene hit before school to prepare for the games ahead of us,” he shared.
The ultimate goal for this season is clear and ambitious. “To win state back-to-back and for everyone on the team to succeed,” Braxton said confidently.
A typical training week is filled with reps and fundamentals. “Every week we hit a lot and take a lot of ground balls when we don’t have games,” he explained. That hard work also helps him push through struggles. “Getting into a slump in hitting—and to overcome that—is having a lot of confidence and practicing my swing.”
Of all his experiences, one stands out. “Winning a state championship,” he said proudly. It’s a memory he’ll carry with him long after high school.
After graduation, Braxton plans to “go to OSU-IT and study to be an electrician.” And no matter where life takes him, he’ll never forget the people who helped him along the way. “I would like to thank Coach Lorrain—he’s always been there for me and is a really great person.”
