Pierzynski

The First Academy sophomore and catcher Austin Pierzynski has been helping lead the Royals this season on the baseball field as the team’s starting catcher. The Royals cur-

Tell us about your years as a baseball player.

I’ve been playing for as long as I can remember. My dad played in the MLB, so I was on the field with him every day. Baseball has been in my life pretty much since I was a kid. Did you ever consider any other sports? Baseball was always the main one. I played basketball and football in middle school and lower school, but I was always focused on baseball, mostly.

What do you love most about baseball as a sport?

I think just the camaraderie with your team. Especially as a catcher, you have to bond with your pitcher and know everything that’s going on, so I really like that. … The mental part also. (Baseball) is more mental instead of physical, so you always have to know what’s going on. You’ve got to be smart (on the field) and all that.

What is your favorite part about catching?

Just controlling the game. I always feel like I’m in control. You are involved in every single play.

What do you believe baseball has taught you not only on the field but also off it?

To deal with failure, because you fail seven out of 10 times, and you are (still) really good. I think in school, you succeed more than you fail. In most other sports, you succeed more than you fail. But in baseball, you fail more than you succeed.

Do you have a favorite drill at practice?

I think just throw downs, probably. That’s the main thing I work on with catching — just throwing the ball down.

What do you think makes you a unique catcher on the baseball field?

I really think I receive the ball well, and I think I have a unique relationship with the pitchers. I think we are on the same page most of the time.

How do you believe you instill leadership in your team?

I think just leading by example. I am not really a yeller or stuff like that, but I just kind of do the right thing and trust them to follow my lead.

THE BASICS

Age: 16 Sport: Baseball Position: Catcher Grade: 10 School: The First Academy

Do you have a favorite MLB player? Right now, I really like Jose Trevino. I really like how he catches.

Wha is your favorite baseball team?

The White Sox; that’s where I grew up. That’s where my dad played the longest.

What’s your favorite hobby?

Probably hanging out with friends, fishing or playing video games.

What do you like to do on the weekends?

Hang out with friends, go to church on Sunday — pretty much every Sunday — and baseball.

What’s your favorite music?

Country. (My favorite singer is) Morgan Wallen.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Why?

Maybe Batman, because he doesn’t have any actual superpowers; he’s just rich and smart.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?

Probably teleportation, just because it’s the most useful. You could go anywhere you want at any time.

What are three places you would like to visit? Why?

I want to go to Japan, because I’ve heard the baseball there is crazy. Someplace in Africa — do a safari or something like that to see all the animals. Probably a tropical place like Bora Bora, where I could go scuba diving.

Which one would you choose: Instagram, BeReal or TikTok? Instagram; I don’t have BeReal or

If you could go back in time to a specific period of history, which one would it be and why?

Probably Jesus’ time, just grounds of the Bay Hill Lodge and Club following every move and call, Kitayama — who jumped in rank from No. 46 to No. 19 — was not leading until the end of Sunday.

What color would you say represents your personality?

Probably green. It’s kind of laid-back. Not standing out that much — just go with the flow.

McIlroy was on the top of the scoreboard all through the back nine right before a number of bogeys at holes 14 and 15 put him in a tie with Harris English in second place. Before taking the lead, Kitayama was at eight under, tied with McIlroy, Scheffler and English. However, Kitayama was able to strike a 6-iron from the tee at par-3 17th to 13 feet and later drain the putt to get the lead.

After tapping his 47-foot, 2-inch birdie putt on the 18th green that landed an inch from disappearing at the bottom of the cup, Kitayama turned around and gave his caddie, Tim Tucker, a big hug.

“It was a big relief, you know, that it was really happening,” Kitayama said.

In addition to the outstanding golf, the API also featured plenty of fun off the course. This included the annual Wine and Dine on the 9, which took place from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, March 3. Fans enjoyed food from local restaurants such as American Social Bar and Kitchen, Big Fin Seafood Kitchen, Brio, Burntwood, Jimmy Hula’s, Fresh & Co, Melting Pot and more.

2023

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DEFENSE KEY mates to play their best,” he said.

Family. Friends. Community.

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why? Some type of fish; I want to breathe underwater.

From Day 1 of practice for the 202223 season, the Lakers focused on honing out their defense skills; they believed this would contribute to an unforgettable season.

“We knew from the very beginning we would need to be a good defensive team to be successful,” Hoff said. “So, luckily, these guys have really bought in on the defensive side to help us make it (that) far.”

One key element on the defensive side of the ball for the boys was Huan, a 7-foot freshman.

“I try to block any shots and try to do what I can do to help my team-

“It’s really exciting (to have gotten here) and I’m proud of us. I think we are worth it, we put (in) a lot of time to get (there).”

After the team bought into the fundamentals of defense for the season, the word “togetherness” resonated with the Lakers.

“Win or lose — we are a family,”

Hoff said. “This is not a one-man show, this isn’t a one-man program, this isn’t a one-man team. We have a lot of great players on this team.

We have players who play every different role … (and) every player is important. They have a role in our program, so I’m proud of all of our guys — not just the ones (who) score a lot of points but (also) the guys (who) help us get better at practice every day and our leaders from the bench.”

Moving forward, the Lakers will continue practicing their steps and working on their fundamentals so next year, they can come back ready to rumble.

“I’ve got to get our guys better prepared to play against teams like (Riviera Prep) next year,” Hoff said. “I think this will motivate us,” he said. “I think they had an amazing experience being a part of this run. But at the end of the day, I think they leave more hungry than anything. So I think it should help propel us into the next season.”