Right off the bat, the Wakefield varsity baseball team is setting themselves up for a strong season with a current 11-2 record. With much determination, each player pitches in hard work and effort towards the brotherhood. As the players solidify their bonds, they strengthen their chances to win the State playoffs.

Trevor Schock, coach of the team, is optimistic about the players’ potential. He understands that to have a great season, hard work is essential. He is committed to instilling this mindset inside of his hardworking players.

“We have a good mix and combination of a lot of seasoned players and some young guys,” Schock said. “We’re off to a decent start. We just have to keep working every day to get better to maximize the talent that we do have.”

While the baseball team is going strong, not every win comes easy. Behind the scenes, each player is diligently working towards an individual goal, whether it’s batting averages or pitching percentages. It doesn’t just stop at player statistics; their success comes primarily from the relationships each player has with one another. Ben Dudash is a junior at Wakefield and has been on the varsity baseball team for three seasons. Having been part of the team for many years, he agrees that team bonding is a crucial priority.

“We have a lot of new guys [and] new faces, so we keep the chemistry up,” Dudash said. “We learn more about each other and work together.”

Support for one another does not only come through in highs but also in the team’s lows. They’re dedicated to keeping each and every player at their best through their kindness and brotherly love. Wyatt Wert, a senior, reveals that this is one of his favorite parts of being on the team.

“We overcame [our struggles] by pumping each other up during practices and getting on each other for the little things,” Wert said. “But not in a negative way, in a positive way.”

Despite the challenges, the team’s strong sense of accountability and encouragement keep them motivated throughout the season. As each player continues to grow together, their focus extends beyond just improving their skills to strengthening their bonds as teammates. Thomas Piscorik is a freshman at Wakefield and has been on the varsity team for just a few weeks now. His goals extend beyond personal achievements; he also aims to strengthen his relationship with the entire team.

“[My goal is] to help the team build relationships and [to win] State playoffs,” Piscorik said.

A significant driving factor behind the boys’ success will be the overwhelming support and love they have for not just the sport but for one another. Each and every player has their eyes set on their main goal of winning the State playoffs, and they are committed to helping each other along the way to make it happen. Schock recognizes the dedication the team puts into every practice, and is excited to watch them reach every goal they set for themselves.

“A lot of them have a very good mindset, and [they’re] not afraid to get in there, get their hands dirty, and try to get better every single day,” Schock said. “As long as we continue to do that, the sky’s the limit for this group.”