As the new season approaches, Coach Smiley Verduzco and the Hackett Catholic Prep baseball team are gearing up for another successful year. With a strong group of returning players and some promising newcomers, the team is ready to defend their Michigan State Championship title and continue their winning streak.
One of the main strengths of the team this season is their experienced upperclassmen. According to Coach Verduzco, the team is "loaded with upperclassmen who have 2-3 years of starting on varsity experience." This experience has been crucial in their past success, including winning district and regional titles for the past two years. These players have shown their ability to perform under pressure and their leadership on and off the field.
Among the returning players, there are some standouts that Coach Verduzco believes will make a significant impact on the team this year. One of them is senior catcher Noah Emmer, who was named to the Area Dream Team as a catcher last season. Emmer is known for his outstanding defensive skills and has already committed to play baseball at Trine University. Junior pitcher David Verduzco, the coach's son, is another player to watch out for.
He had an impressive sophomore season with a 7-1 record and a complete game shutout in the regional championship game. He has also added size and strength and is now throwing in the mid-80s mph range. Junior utility player Tyler Beach and senior pitcher Tyler Brand are also expected to make significant contributions to the team's success.
In addition to these returning players, there are also some promising newcomers who are expected to make an immediate impact on the team. Senior pitcher Preston Cosby, who was the team's ace last year, is recovering from an injury but is expected to return in time for the playoffs. Other players such as Brooks Basler, Kyler Higgins, Gavin St. Martin, Max Gerl, Vince Walbridge, and Lucas Cosby are also looking to make an impact this season.
When it comes to team captains, Coach Verduzco looks for players who can lead through adversity and who their teammates will follow. With a team full of upperclassmen, there are many contenders for this role, and the team will vote on it next week. One player who is already stepping up as a leader is junior Max Gerl, who was unable to play last season due to Michigan transfer rules but is now expected to bat in the middle of the lineup and play multiple positions in the infield.
Team chemistry and camaraderie are crucial for any successful team, and Coach Verduzco knows this. He believes that players who can lead through adversity are the ones that their teammates will follow, and with a strong group of upperclassmen, he is confident that this team will have great chemistry. The team also has regular meetings to discuss their team culture, which is based on NFL Coach Tony Dungy's book S.O.U.L. (Selflessness, Ownership, Unity, and Larger Purpose). They also emphasize playing for something bigger than themselves, whether it is for God, their school, or their community.
When it comes to motivation, Coach Verduzco believes in instilling a sense of responsibility and expectations in his players. As a team full of upperclassmen, they are being treated like men this year, and the boys are up for the challenge. The mental aspect of the game is also crucial, and the team is prepared for the challenges that come with playing at a high level.
The team's schedule this year will be a good challenge, as they are the only small school in their conference and will also face off against larger D1 and D2 schools. However, the team believes they can compete with these schools and are ready to prove it on the field. As a smaller school, the team faces obstacles such as the cold climate in Michigan, which makes it challenging to prepare for the season. However, with the improving weather, they are hopeful that they will be able to play most of their scheduled games before spring break, which is a rarity in their state.
Coach Verduzco's coaching philosophy is built on strong pitching and quality depth. He believes that the team's offense also has great potential with a deep and talented lineup, and it is now time for them to deliver. The team's goal is to defend their Michigan State Championship title and earn another opportunity to win it all this year. With a strong team full of experienced upperclassmen and promising newcomers, they have a good chance of achieving their goals.
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