Despite starting the season with five losses for the first six games, the baseball team has recovered, creating a winning streak leading into the post-season.
Junior Mitch Blackstone attributes the winning streak to successful pitching and batting against teams in the conference (Varsity was 8-0 against conference teams in the regular season).
“If we can pick up our defense a little I think we can be a very challenging team to play against,” Blackstone said.
This pattern is similar to that of last year’s team, which lost many early regular season games but then excelled in the post-season by making it to the second round of regional competition.
“We’ve really come together and learned how to play close games and not be nervous and that as a team, if we don’t score first we’re not going to lose the whole game,” senior Conor Boyle said.
Despite success against conference 13 teams, the team has also beaten old Liberty District teams such as McLean.
“The new conference isn’t as good as Liberty, but that’s not nearly all the reason that we’ve had success recently,” Boyle said.
Teamwork and trusting each player to fill their position on the field also play important roles in creating success for the Statesmen.
“It’s a team sport; you need all nine [players] to be great,” Blackstone said.
Sophomore Nick Cintron agrees, adding that players must be focused on prevailing as a team rather than individual achievement.
“The players have accepted that it’s not all about them and that if the team is succeeding and and getting better everyday, that’s all you can really ask for as a player,” Cintron said. “You want the team to win, and when your number is called, you just do whatever you can to contribute.”