Play Ball: Varsity Baseball Midseason Report

by Dayton Flannery

On Wednesday, April 22, I had the opportunity to sit and talk with Coach Anthony Vaglica and some of his players on the Varsity Baseball team. “I expect this team to take the season one game at a time,” said Coach Ant of this year’s squad. When I looked around at the Senior Captains sitting with us, and saw them nodding their heads in agreement, I realized that this team has every intention of performing at their best, every opportunity they have.

When asked about any goals he has for the season, Coach Ant told me, “Compete. Every inning of every game.” With a record of 3-4, and currently riding on a 3 game winning streak, the players on this team feel the same way. In fact, the team is already showing that they are ready to play. Just the other day, Senior Captain Brad Taylor toyed with the opposing team when he had a no-hitter until the fourth inning. In seven innings he threw 85 pitches and finished an impressive game, allowing just one hit. Supporting him behind the plate was returning starting catcher Dylan Mitchell. He was the first person listed by his teammates when asked if any young players on the team showed potential. Only a sophomore, with a year of varsity play under his belt, it should be interesting to see what he can bring to the table.

“We’ll be 4-4 by Saturday,” said Vaglica. Senior Captain Bob Anderson predicts that the score in the game against Blind Brook this Saturday, April 25, will be a whopping “7-1.” It may seem ambitious but with the attitude these players have, there is no telling what they are capable of. All seven Seniors on the team agreed that their goal this year is to be the sectional champions. Other than that they agreed that they all want to, “Be happy,” joked senior captain Bobby Dejoy.

“Our team will go as far as our Senior Captains will take us,” Coach Ant told me. There is no doubt in my mind that these Seniors are a team and set a great example for the lower classmen who hold spots on the Varsity lineup. The goals they have established seemed quite clear and it appeared that these guys have thought a lot about their last season as Broncos. On the list of goals was a home playoff game. It will definitely be no simple task, but judging by the tone of their voices it seemed assured that they were ready for the challenge. I curiously asked the team who their biggest threat would be during the season. Coach Anthony quickly replied, “Ourselves.”

This year the varsity baseball team is looking good and seems prepared for a successful season. They all have goals and have a great coach leading the way. Hopefully the team will finish off what could be a winning season and we will be able to watch some great baseball.