Tigers could have plenty to smile about at season’s end

BY CARL KOTALA

Holy Trinity baseball coach Tom Kelce couldn’t help but feel a little excited as he was on his way to the team’s first preseason game.

“As I was driving to the game, I had a smile on my face the entire time because it’s baseball season,” Kelce said. “I love coaching. I love coaching at this place. It’s a great school. And the kids give you (everything) they’ve got. It’s perfect. I love it.”

If things go the way Kelce and the Tigers think they will this season, there will be a lot more to smile about before it’s over.

Although Holy Trinity will be quite young — again — the belief is that this team could become the first to reach the regional tournament since 2015.

“I think our potential’s good,” Kelce said. “As long as our pitchers throw, I think our hitting’s going to be fine and our defense is going to be fine. I think it’s going to rely on our pitching, which I think is above average from the past years we’ve had.

“I like the team. I really do.”

Junior lefty Cannon Hopper had a solid season last year and should be even better this year with more experience. Sophomore Devin Jackameit is a righthander who gets movement on everything he throws.

Senior Greyson Christie will be the team’s third starter.

A big strength of the team this season will be the infield, particularly up the middle where senior shortstop Sal Carlson and sophomore second baseman Roman Carlson have a strong brotherly bond.

“Me and my brother in the middle of the infield, we’ve been working together for over 10 years,” Sal Carlson said. “Anything up the middle, we pretty much have chemistry on anything. It’s almost gotten to the point where we don’t have to talk