With the wind blowing out to center field, junior Ethan Bass launched two home runs, including a three-run shot, to lead the Spartans to a 9-6 victory over New Trier on April 15.
“It was just an awesome feeling with the boys getting the [win] over a really tough New Trier team that I’ve never beaten in my high school career,” Bass said.
The Spartans secured the series against New Trier, winning two out of three games beginning with a 4-2 victory on April 14 that snapped a three-game losing streak.
In the final game of the series on April 15, Bass hit two home runs and drove in five RBIs, while senior Max Lerner earned his third win of the season on the mound.
“Baseball is about failure,” said head coach Justin Weiner. “You fail more times than you succeed, and you have to find a way to be resilient. That’s why our theme [for the program] is ‘grit over glory.’”
According to senior Chase Petersen, senior leaders read a passage from the book, “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday before each game to help the team mentally prepare, reinforcing the “grit over glory” theme by promoting a positive mindset on and off the field.
“[Reading the book] helps us stay grounded and focused,” said Petersen. “We also sometimes have a whiteboard in the locker room where we write what we want … to be as a team. We’ve been working on being mentally stronger. It’s about enjoying the success of others, knowing your role and staying focused on the bigger picture.”
According to Weiner, his primary goal for the program has always been to develop better young men of strong character, with improved baseball skills being a natural byproduct.
According to Petersen, while the team works to find its rhythm, success relies on players embracing their roles and bouncing back from setbacks, such as the team’s first two series losses to Maine South.
“I think everyone’s still struggling to find their groove,” said Petersen. “But I definitely think, like when we beat New Trier twice [the week of April 14] you see the glimpses of the team we can be … you just have to be willing to know your job and know your role.”
The team secured a 4-3 win over Maine South in the final game of the series.
As of May 14, the Spartans (17-13, 8-6) are led in innings pitched by senior Alex Rzonca.
“It doesn’t matter how [we are] playing in March, doesn’t matter how [we are] playing in April, as long as [we are] getting better every day, and once May and June come, playoff time, I feel like we’re gonna make a deep run,” Bass said.