Granada Hills Charter Baseball 2024 Season Preview(CA)

As the baseball season starts to kick into high gear, it's time to take a closer look at the Granada Hills Charter baseball team. The Highlanders have had a solid start to their season, with their eyes set on one thing: winning a CIF championship. I had the opportunity to speak with Coach Matt Matuszak about his team and their goals for the year. Coach Matuszak revealed that the key to achieving their goal of a CIF championship is to play their best baseball and to gel as a team during the playoffs. This same mentality also applies to their regular season games, as they are constantly striving to improve and come together as a team. The Highlanders have a strong group of players leading the way, including UCLA commit and two-way player, Easton Hawk. Hawk has been a standout on the mound and has also made an impact at the plate. Returning infielder Jackson Lyons and All-League center fielder Diego Monreal are also key players to watch this season. In addition, the team is led by brothers Jonathan and Justin Barnett. These two have shown great leadership and their commitment to doing the little things right, even when no one is watching, has made a significant impact on the team's chemistry and cohesion. Team bonding and building a strong sense of camaraderie is also a top priority for the Highlanders. Coach Matuszak shared that the team recently took an outing to an Escape Room, which proved to be a great team building activity. It's clear that the Highlanders understand the importance of a united team and are actively working towards achieving it. The Highlanders also have a challenging schedule ahead of them, including participating in the prestigious Easton Tournament and the National Classic in April. They also have a non-league game scheduled with J Serra, making for an exciting and competitive season. When asked about the team's mindset going into games, Coach Matuszak emphasized the importance of mental toughness and handling pressure and adversity in critical moments. The team's ability to stay focused and composed in these situations will be crucial in achieving their ultimate goal. Off the field, the Highlanders have been putting in work as well. Coach Matuszak shared that they have been working with Pulse Athletix for their offseason and in-season lifting program. This dedication to strength and conditioning will undoubtedly benefit the team's performance on the field. The team also has a lot of senior experience in their batting order and on the pitching mound.