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NS baseball’s season ended in similar fashion with previous seasons: less than ideally.
It didn’t originally look like it was going to be this way, as the Hawks began with a respectable 4-6 preseason record. After region started, NS failed to win another game, finishing 0-12.
The Hawks were actually able to get a lot of runners on base, but they often struggled to get a final hit to send runners home.
Head coach Dan Christensen saw good things out of the players, especially during preseason.
“Our pitchers threw a little bit better during the preseason,” Christensen said. “Which is weird, because they should start throwing better when region starts.”
Next season, the Hawks plan to capitalize on what they did well during the preseason to see more success.
“When we did win, we won by a lot,” said sophomore pitcher Niel Briggs. “We were able to find a rhythm.”
NS will be bringing back starting varsity pitchers, which is a category they felt they performed especially well in.
“[Our pitchers] have learned a lot this year as juniors,” Christensen said. “They’ll feel a lot better next season.”
Even though they weren’t able to pull off a region win, the Hawks were able to see the positives and smaller victories. The team batting average was raised forty points from last year.
“Despite the record, this is one of the best teams I’ve played with,” said senior centerfielder Kincade Grasteit.
The incoming varsity players are a talented bunch, but according to Christensen, it all depends on their willingness to work hard and develop their talents.
“Baseball’s not a sport that you can just pick up and go play,” Christensen said. “If the [younger players] put the work in with the existing juniors we have, we can have a pretty solid team next year.”
