Tucker Flory smacks a fastball up the middle in the first inning for the first run of the game. Flory finished with a pair of hits, as Veritas edged Midland, 6-4, Saturday at Hoglund Ballpark.

After winning a state championship during the boys basketball season, Veritas Christian Academy baseball players hope to follow in the same footsteps.

The Veritas baseball team features eight players from the state champion boys basketball squad and will play in the KCAA state tournament this weekend in Derby.

“It was super cool,” sophomore Tucker Flory said of the hoops state title. “It was something we’ll never forget because got to do it with this tight of guys — like a brotherhood. That made it even more special.”

Most players grew up playing alongside each other in both baseball and basketball, so they’ve always enjoyed the friendships from playing multiple sports together.

Flory and sophomore Quinton Donohoe have played on the same baseball team for many years — “As long as I can remember,” Donohoe said. It was the same for their older brothers, seniors Weston Flory and Peyton Donohoe.

“To be the senior class of that (state title), that’s really special,” Weston Flory said. “I think I take that for granted, honestly. It hasn’t really settled in and probably won’t for a while. But just to think back at all the great moments has been awesome.”

In baseball, the Eagles have a 7-5 record and are expected to be one of the top contenders in the state tournament, along with St. Mary’s. The two schools split their two regular season meetings.

Veritas has showcased strong pitching with Jackson Rau, Tucker Flory, Zach Hill, Quinton Donohoe, Peyton Donohoe and Cody Heiland, among others.

Looking to play strong competition, the Eagles have matched up against much larger schools, including Lansing, Bonner Springs and Maur Hill.

Veritas will play Baldwin at 4:30 p.m. today, its final game before the state tournament.

“We’ve got short, stocky guys who can hit,” Weston Flory said. “We’ve got a lot of tall, skinny guys on the team that can throw. It’s a good, diverse team.”

After the KCAA state tournament, the Eagles will play in a tournament next weekend among Kansas City teams.

Veritas is averaging eight runs per game with a lineup that has six players batting above .300, which includes basketball players Kammal Dowdell and Michael Rask.

“Just getting to play with these guys again, a lot of them, it’s been fun,” Weston Flory said. “We have a really good baseball team so hopefully we can win state again. That’d be special to win it twice in one year.”

With plenty of young talent, the Eagles are hopeful that their KCAA state championship aspirations will continue for the long run.

“We get to build it up, take it places and hopefully leave our mark on the younger kids coming up,” Quinton Donohoe said.