Baseball

Making the journey back

Baseball team looks to return to state championship game

Ben Rosen rosenben000@hsestudents.org

After falling to Jasper in the IHSAA Class 4A Baseball State Championship game last season, the goal for the FHS baseball team this season is to redeem themselves. The team begins the season ranked first in Class 4A in the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association preseason poll. “Our expectation for the season is to return to Victory Field to play in the state championship game again,” head coach Matthew Cherry said. “Our goals are also to win the HCC and win 20+ games.” Sophomore Caulin Brown says that the team has a clear goal that everyone agrees on. “To go win a state title, that’s everybody’s expectations on the team and we all believe it and we just more hungrier than last year”, Brown said. Senior Jack Backofen agrees with Cherry and Brown adding that the preseason Class 4A #1 ranking from the coaches association plays a role in the team’s expectations and adds that it comes with added pressure. “Our number one goal is to be able to replicate what we did last year and get back to state,” Backofen said. “By being ranked preseason #1, you got a pretty big target.” “We’re just trying to make sure we have as much intensity as we can each practice,” Backofen said. “Trying to replicate as many in game situations as we can.” Cherry says that the team comes together to work to achieve the goals that have been set for the season. Cherry also mentioned that the team is very focused on team success and not so much on individual success. “Our guys play their best when they are playing for each other and are focused on the team mission,” Cherry said. “Do not care who receives the glory or the credit, but when they come together and play as one unit on the same mission.” According to Cherry, in preparation for the season, the team has been emphasizing a sense of togetherness and that they need each other to be successful and achieve their common goal. “Our guys know that talent wins during the regular season, but camaraderie and team chemistry wins championships,” Cherry said. “We’ve challenged our guys to stay together, to push one another to improve, to hold each other accountable and to understand that a successful season is bigger than any one person and is bigger than any individual game.” According to Brown the team is working extra hard in practice and players are also getting work in at the Fishers Sports Academy. “Every single day we’re in practice just running 110%,” Brown said. “A lot of guys go to FSA it’s another place that people go to and we all just hit and build good bonds together.” As of April 11, the team has a record of 5-1 and remains ranked first in the coaches poll. The next home game for the team is against Westfield High School at 6:00 p.m. on April 21. The team finishes the season with 10 of their last 16 regular season games at home.