The school’s junior varsity (JV) baseball team has been crowned the JV West Valley League Champions after a successful season with nine game wins since it started in early March.
“The season has gone well,” freshman first baseman Macai Friedman said. “We had a rough start at the first game then picked things back up in league and [we’re] having a really good league.”
With the new year, there were many new freshmen introduced to the JV baseball team. The teammates created special friendships and impactful bonds.
“I think we bonded pretty well because a lot of the people didn’t know each other before [this season] since we’re all in different grades,” freshman pitcher, shortstop and first baseman Cameron Rosenberg said. “I think [the freshmen have] been included really well.”
The inclusivity of freshmen on the baseball team and the time the team spent together off the field led to stronger connections between all the players..
“I feel like we’ve bonded extremely well,” freshman pitcher and third baseman Jackson Sellz said. “After Friday games, if we win that game, we all go to one guy’s house and swim for a while. We hang out outside of school a lot, so we’ve bonded extremely well.”
The team chemistry that was built this season led to many successes in their performances in the West Valley League. Such success included a 14-1 win against Cleveland High School and a 1-9 win versus Taft Charter High School.
“My favorite game was probably our first game at home,” freshman third baseman and pitcher Dylan Morquecho said. “We played Birmingham [High School], we beat them 7-0, that was a fun game.”
After their win against Birmingham High School, they went on a hot streak where they won seven of their next nine games, finishing first in the West Valley League.
“We’re first in the West Valley League for JV,” freshman catcher Ryan De La Rosa said. “We played like a team, we had fun, and we got many wins.”
The players were motivated to keep their win streak alive due to their love of the game and the comradery they have with their teammates.
“[What motivates me is my] passion for the game, it’s really fun to make friends and have that family bond,” sophomore middle infielder Michael Spancer said.
With their final win, the JV team is ready to continue their good play into next season, playing the sport they love with the people who have become their family.
“The thing that motivates me is the fun I have when playing,” De La Rosa said. “You know, family is also a big thing because I played baseball my whole life. My parents have invested a lot of time into me, and I want to make them proud.”