SPORTS

Hendricken middle school team enjoys big first year

Posted 7/6/22

By ALEX SPONSELLER

The Bishop Hendricken eighth grade middle school baseball team enjoyed a solid season this spring in its first year as a program.

After years of consideration, the school …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
SPORTS

Hendricken middle school team enjoys big first year

Posted

By ALEX SPONSELLER


The Bishop Hendricken eighth grade middle school baseball team enjoyed a solid season this spring in its first year as a program.

After years of consideration, the school finally added the middle school team to its program and enjoyed immediate success, despite a few early limitations.

“We were at a disadvantage because there are only 43 students in the eighth grade class, so we were drawing from a smaller pool of talent. We did have some players that were new to baseball, but we also had some top shelf players,” said coach Bryan Leahey, whose roster rounded out with 15 players.

The team got off to a shaky start, getting mercied in its first game by Coventry then losing again in its second game. Despite the losses, the Hawks would rebound to finish the regular season 5-4 and reach the playoffs.

“They started off with two losses so I thought, ‘OK it’s going to be one of those years.’ But they turned it around. It was a lot of fun,” said Leahey.

The team would then win a thriller in the quarterfinals when it topped host Lincoln 11-10. Jude Monti, Will Mascena and JP Beyer led the Hawks at the plate with two runs each, while eight different players crossed home plate.

After winning in the quarters, the team would fall in a 3-0 decision in the semifinals to end its spring with an overall record of 6-5.

Leahey and company were thrilled with the turnout and appreciated the help of the varsity program during its inaugural season.

“One thing that I really appreciated was that the Hendricken team from Coach (Ed) Holloway on down, they never treated us like the new guys. They always made sure that we got field time, got us all the equipment that we needed,” said Leahey, who also feels that the program sets up an even stronger feeder system in the Hendricken program. “It’s been excellent because from coach Holloway’s perspective, it’s another layer. They can now come in a year earlier to learn Hendricken baseball, we’re all brothers. There’s an intensity there so they will be better prepared for when they have to try out as freshmen. It’s been wonderful.”

The coaches also hope that the new middle school squad will help strengthen Hendricken’s efforts in bringing in new students to campus.

“That was an emphasis of ours, we wanted something that would be appealing for eighth graders to come to Hendricken,” said Leahey. “We already have three kids that will be coming here and it’s because they want to play baseball. We’ve been thrilled with it.”

Hendricken, baseball

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here