By Dimitrios Kontagiannis, Sports Editor
Indian Trail High & Academy baseball has a track record of success, from 2016 graduate Gavin Lux’s recruitment to the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system, to 2017 graduate Ryan Hoerter joining the starting rotation for the Auburn University Tigers baseball team.
IT’s baseball program has a rich history of success, and they don’t plan to slow down anytime soon.
“The season has been going really well,” said Max Bruff, Military Academy junior catcher/third baseman/outfielder.
“I think we’re really starting to come together and could be dangerous if we stay at a high level of intensity.”
“The season has kind of been up and down. We are 6-8 right now,” said Michael Schmidt, Indian Trail’s varsity head coach. “In years past we’ve had a lot of seniors, so we are calling upon players that don’t have as much experience and with that comes the growing pains. At times we look like we can hang with anybody, put at other times, we self destruct.”
Schmidt expects more of the same, and will take a chance to look at the younger kids the rest of the season.
“Our big focus will be on execution, doing things that put us in a position to be successful, and seeing what we got with the younger kids that will be part of the team for years ahead,” said Schmidt. “And when the playoffs come around, it’s a whole new season.”
Something that the Hawks have had to replace this year is pitching depth, and Schmidt acknowledges it.
“Our top seniors last year were all pitchers, so we had to replace a lot of innings on the mound. If you have good pitching you’re always going to have a chance. I think our pitchers have put pressure on themselves because their offense has struggled at times, and because of that it’s been tough,” said Schmidt.
As for the seniors on the team, Schmidt says this is an interesting bunch.
“They’ve been great. We actually have a few players that have been cut in years prior that came back out as seniors and made the team, and that’s why we tell kids if you don’t make it one year, we want you to come back,” said Schmidt.
“We also have a lot of seniors who haven’t got as much opportunity before because of the previous senior classes,” he said. “They are very good role models as well, very good character kids. I know the results on the field aren’t where they want to be right now, but it doesn’t take away the leaders that they are for the younger kids.”