As the baseball season begins, the team is looking forward to what players believe could be one of their most successful in recent years.
“I think this is our best chance in the last couple of years to go [to State],” Mike Lutz, senior, said. “This should be the best team in the last couple of years.”
According to Lutz, this year’s team offers a strong group of seniors, as well as talented juniors. He adds that their skills are diverse, with talent coming from all aspects of the game.
“Our offense last year really wasn’t as good as it could’ve been because we had a really good pitching staff, but our offense didn’t really pan out to what it could’ve been,” Lutz said.
Last year, the team finished the season with a 12-12 record and lost in the regional semifinals. According to Lutz, they had the potential to go further, but shortcomings in their offense prevented their progress.
Before this season begins, players are taking part in open gyms and conditioning classes. They lift weights, take lessons, and practice on their own. The coaches are a key component to offseason training and helping players progress.
“We have a pitching coach that played professional baseball. Coach Gary Simon, knows, like everything; he helps with hitting and fielding and all that stuff,” Lutz said.
Both Lutz and Dominic DeMicco, junior, feel the hard work in the offseason will pay off and give the team a chance to go far.
“I’m really confident with our hitting. We have a great hitting team; we’ve always had a great hitting team. We’ll be a great team if the defense comes around,” DeMicco said. “We have a lot of potential with pitching; I know a lot of guys have been working really hard over the offseason.”
Leadership could also be crucial to their season, as there are ten seniors on the team this year.
“The seniors have been there before, so hopefully they can push everyone in the right direction,” DeMicco said. “We’ll follow their lead and be a good, strong team this year.”
The players will have to use these strengths to overcome a tough conference. According to DeMicco, Stevenson is their biggest rival and competitor and they play them twice this season, once at home and once at Stevenson.
“[Stevenson has] a lot of guys going on to play college ball and they have a few really good players,” DeMicco said. “They’re a good team every year and they’re our rival.”
Overall though, the team is hoping their leadership and skill will help them make a run at State this year.
“We have Lutz and [Sean] Eder both bringing it in over 90 [mph] on the mound,” DeMicco said. “We’re looking to drive the ball all over the field this year. It’ll be big hits, strong arms on the mound, and hopefully some big plays.”
Upcoming Games:
4/02- at Cary Grove, 4:30pm
4/03- at Warren, 4:30pm
4/04- Warren, 4:30pm
4/09- at Prairie Ridge, 4:30pm
4/10- Mundelein, 4:30pm