As Coach Tommy Carosielli looks ahead to the upcoming season, he is excited about the potential of his team at Solon High School. With a mix of experienced returning players and new talent, he believes they have the ability to make great strides and compete at a high level.
One of the top returning players from last season is senior Braeden Springer. As a Walsh University commit, Springer brings both skill and leadership to the team. Coach Carosielli describes him as a crucial piece of the offense and a leader who leads by example. Along with Springer, the team also welcomes back sophomore Henry Fritz and senior Ethan Zhou, both of whom were limited by injuries last season. Their return will provide a much-needed boost for the team.
However, Coach Carosielli also emphasizes the importance of growth and improvement for the team as a whole. With a year of experience under their belts, he believes that this young team will continue to develop and progress together. He measures success not just in wins and losses, but in the personal growth of his players as individuals.
In terms of new players, Coach Carosielli is excited about the impact that sophomore Brody Cowan will make this season. Despite missing most of last season due to a back injury, Cowan is a hard-throwing righty who will be a major piece of the pitching puzzle for the team. The coach also has high hopes for his senior class, who have gained valuable experience and are expected to be leaders on and off the field.
Speaking of leadership, Coach Carosielli looks for certain qualities in potential team captains. He believes that anyone on the roster has the potential to lead and is expected to do so regardless of class or experience. He values leaders who lead by example and encourages a team culture where everyone is pushing each other to be their best.
To foster team chemistry and camaraderie, the team will be having weekly team dinners and have a competitive environment in practice. But more importantly, the coach emphasizes the importance of having a shared goal and working together towards it. He believes that when the team rows the boat in the same direction, they will achieve their goals faster.
In terms of motivation, the team has a "Why Wall" where every player and coach's reason for playing and coaching is displayed. This serves as a reminder to the team of their purpose and motivates them to push themselves to their full potential.
While preparing for the season, Coach Carosielli and his coaching staff work on building a strong team culture based on their core values of Mudita (taking joy in others' successes), Energy, Toughness, and Standards. They also analyze past matchups and self-scouts to have a sound game plan for each game.
The team's schedule looks challenging with tough opponents like defending champion North Royalton, D1 State Championship runners-up Twinsburg, and schools like Nordonia and Brecksville in the conference. However, Coach Carosielli believes that this challenging schedule will only make the team stronger and prepare them for the postseason.
In terms of coaching style, the coach believes in being flexible and adapting to the strengths and weaknesses of the team. He also emphasizes the importance of the mental aspect of the game and works on it every day through various techniques like meditation and motivation.
The team's strength lies in their pitching and defense, according to Coach Carosielli. He believes that if they can continue to pitch well and defend at a high level, they have a chance to surprise people. However, the team will also have a learning curve in certain areas of the diamond, such as replacing a four-year starter behind the plate. But with experience being the best teacher, Coach Carosielli is confident that his team will rise to the challenge.
As for the team's training and conditioning program, they are lucky to have an excellent strength coach in JD Dunn. The team has been working hard in the weight room all offseason and plans to continue doing so at a higher rate this season.
Overall, Coach Tommy Carosielli's coaching philosophy is reflected in his team's gameplay. He believes in the importance of personal growth, teamwork, and a strong team culture. With a mix of experienced and new talent, a challenging schedule, and a focus on mental and physical preparation, the Solon High School team is poised for a successful season ahead.
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