Photo by Edwin Perez ’18| The varsity team does a team drill during January 22nd on Opus Field.

By Josh Belgrad ’19

THE ROUNDUP

The baseball team this year is under new leadership and has a refreshed mindset, focus and work ethic going into the season.

Coach Mr. Josh Garcia ’07 assumed his role of head coach during the summer

and the team has been working together all offseason to perform at a high level this year.

“We have been working hard since summer, and everyone is being pulled in the right direction,” said pitcher Merrick Martin ’18.

The Broncos are looking to bounce back from a 9-18 record from the 2016-2017 season.

Mr. Garcia was eager to get started this summer and is ready to ignite a change with this team.

“The biggest thing for me is changing the culture and changing how we’ve done everything,” Garcia said.

“The kids have embraced the change. Change isn’t always easy… When one thing was accepted and it isn’t accepted anymore, it is difficult.”

Shortstop Will Worthington ’19 was named the Brophy player of the year last year and is excited to return to the field.

“I am beyond excited for this year, we are a team full of competitors and leaders,” said Worthington.  “The hard work and competitiveness we’ve put in the weight room is incredible.”

Mr. Garcia noted that offense will be a key strength that this team has moving into the season.

“Offensively we have some pretty good pieces in WIll Worthington [’19], Troy Weinstein [’18], and Lucas Grennan [’18],” Garcia said. “They are great leaders, hard workers and can get the team to really rally around them.”

Martin is looking forward to playing for Mr. Garcia and is excited to see the team grow under his coaching.

“Coach Garcia has been one of the best things for this program. This is the hardest the program has worked in the years that I’ve been here,” Martin said.  “He’s brought a championship mindset to the team and has changed our hopes of winning to expectations.”

The team does have some obstacles to overcome this season.

“The biggest thing is going to be pitching,” said Garcia. “My pitching coach Josh Spence worked with the Padres and has really taken these pitchers to the next level with their ability to attack the strike zone.”

Mr. Garcia also addressed the true difficulty of the squad’s schedule.

“In our conference alone, we have Hamilton, who won state last year, and Perry who was number 2,” Garcia said.  “The team will be tested early in the season which I love because battle tests your team before conference play and it will prepare us for the post season which is where we want to be.”

Martin feels the pieces coming together for this time right before the season begins.

“We have been working hard since summer, and everyone is being pulled in the right direction,” said Martin. “We have a much more aggressive approach this year.“