Baseball succeeds early with several returning seniors

Breck Murphy, Staff Reporter

Despite having multiple games postponed due to inclement weather, the South men’s baseball team has gotten off to a good start, according to senior Sam Selby. The team is currently 10-1 as it heads into conference play.

“The first time that we stepped on the field, we actually beat a team who had played four or five games already,” Selby said.

However, the team’s most memorable victory thus far came against Oak Park River Forest, according to Selby.

“They were defending state champions last year, and we beat them by 11,” Selby said.

Selby and junior Tommy O’Hara hit back-to-back homeruns in the game, Selby said.

Though head coach David Lindley agrees with Selby that the boys have started strong, he still believes they have some work to do.

“It’s not surprising, as we have a collection of talented players,” Lindley said. “We still have a long way to go though.”

According to Lindley, the players’ success this season will be determined by their team effort rather than concern for individual success.

“We’ve been doing a really nice job of working on not just the baseball skills but also becoming a team,” Lindley said. “It’s nice to add that element.”

Despite losing 2012 graduates Sully Stadler and Zack Jones, who went on to play Division I at Indiana University and Northwestern University, respectively, Lindley remains positive about the present.

“[The players] move on, but to me, they are always a part of GBS baseball,” Lindley said. “It’s always fun to see the new team come together.”

The conference season began the week of April 8, and the men have their goal set on winning conference, according to Selby. Although the team’s biggest rival is typically New Trier, their team to beat this season is Maine South.

“Last year, we lost in the first round [of the playoffs],” Selby said. “If it’s possible, we would love to go to State and do something there.”

According to Selby, the team looks to use their strengths in pitching as an advantage. Seniors Sam Koloms and Kyle Pauly both contribute to this force, according to Lindley.

As far as weaknesses go, the team plans to work more on their hitting, Selby said.

“We’ve started out strong, but we aren’t expected to do as much in our hitting,” Selby said. “There will be some flaws that we’ll find over the games, but [I would like to see us] with stronger fielding and more consistency out there.”

According to Lindley, despite the squad’s strengths and weaknesses, the team has a deep dugout that will always be able to compete with its opponents.

“The new guys are coming together as a team and carrying it on,” Lindley said. “They’ve done a great job so far, and I’m happy to be a part of the group.”

To start off their season, the Titans beat Barrington 5-2 and Oak Park River Forest 14-3. Since then, the squad has conquered Schaumburg 7-4 and Rolling Meadows 7-5, while dropping a game to Wheaton Warrenville North 3-9.

In more recent games, the team beat both St. Patrick and Zion Benton 11-1.

The boys take the field next April 27 at Maine West High School. The playoffs are currently scheduled to start May 20.