With sizzling hot dogs and bubbling soda, LHS baseball aims to shoot their goals high for state and to rebound off of a disappointing season.
“Obviously we want to win league,” said three-year varsity pitcher Ben Zahn. “[And] the goal is the same exact as last season. Maybe it didn’t go the way as well as we wanted it to last year, but I am really excited with the group of guys this year.”
After finishing the year with 11-16 record, and a first round playoff exit to Grants Pass High School, the Pacer boys intend to use that as fuel to bounce back this season.
They are also entering the season with a nearly entirely new team, after nine seniors left the team and one player left the school.
“The key to the season is making sure everybody on the team is on the same page and holding each other accountable,” said middle infielder junior Jacob Hamada. “Focus on the process and not the result.”
That is the overarching mindset for the team this season, and they plan to bring that mindset to a spring break tournament in California, where they will be playing the top teams in the nation to kick off the season.
After their anticipated trip to California, they hit the dog days of the long and tolling season, with 31 total games, three per week, and every other day (minus Sunday) used to practice.
“I think we just try and take it day by day, being able to use practice efficiently and being able to recover ourselves is a big part of it, especially when you’re playing up to 30 games in a season,” said Zahn.
“I think a big part is just keeping your body healthy,” said Hamada.
After suffering two early losses after returning from California, they bounced back with a commanding walkoff by sophomore infielder Cash Dickson in the bottom of the 7th.
The season does not come without emotion though, with multiple seniors having rich emotions about this being their last year.
“I am going to miss the team, the camaraderie that comes with baseball,” said Zahn. “I love every minute of being out there on the field with the guys, you know, enjoying it and cheering each other on and hoping for a really good season this year.”
Leaving the disappointment of last season behind, the Pacer boys plan to shock some people in the seniors’ one last run for state.
