Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

Fayette Baseball Preview

Falcon seniors plan for a strong finish to season in 2020

By Jeff Yoder
Posted 3/17/20

The Fayette baseball team finished last season with seven straight losses after starting the season 6-3. The four returning Falcon seniors are determined not to finish their careers the same …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Fayette Baseball Preview

Falcon seniors plan for a strong finish to season in 2020

Posted

The Fayette baseball team finished last season with seven straight losses after starting the season 6-3. The four returning Falcon seniors are determined not to finish their careers the same way.

“This team has a lot of potential, it has a lot of talent,” senior catcher Quess Frerking said. “A lot of natural talent and a lot of players that have a background in baseball. It should be a good year.”

The Falcons’ senior leadoff hitter Grant Himmelmann said that consistent effort on the practice field is the key to reaching the team’s potential.

“I think we have to just work hard every single practice and really not take any days off,” he said.

“That happened a lot towards the end of last season. If we come in and focus every practice, we have a good chance of doing really well this season.”

The Falcons graduated two of their top hitters in Cameron Stornello and Vince Roberts, but Fayette returns its top two pitchers in terms of ERA and innings pitched.

Senior Cale Polson had an earned run average of 3.23 over 30 innings. He walked just nine batters and struck out 21.

Jack Kindle, who is also in his senior season, finished with an ERA of 3.50 in 34 innings. Kindle walked a few more batters than Polson, but led Fayette with 40 strikeouts.

“They just throw a lot of strikes,” head coach Charlie Trick said.

“They have decent velocity, but they’re just great at hitting their spots, making it difficult for the offense, not allowing free bases.

“And when they give up a few runs, or when our defense makes a few errors, they are emotional leaders as well. They keep their composure. They’re calm, cold, and collected on the mound, which is just about as important as actually throwing the ball.”

Trick is going to rely on his experienced players to fill the top spots in the lineup.

“All four of our seniors, we’ve been playing varsity ball since freshman year, so we’re pretty experienced,” Polson said.

Polson has the highest on-base-percentage among the returning players from last year at .455. Kindle is the only returner with double-digit RBI (12) or double-digit walks (12) from a season ago. Frerking had the most hits among the returning players with 13. Himmelmann led the team with 15 steals on 16 attempts.

“We’re all about smart hitting,” Trick said. “Being patient in the count until you get your pitch, battling with two strikes, not being afraid to crowd the plate, get hit by a pitch or draw a walk. Just being smart at the plate.”

Jonathan Ebbsmeyer is the only returning junior, and will play in the outfield. Matthew Stronello and Tyler Bartholomew are the returning sophomores.

“Tyler Bartholomew will probably play seven or eight positions before the season is over with,” Trick said.

The experienced Falcons are excited about the potential of the newcomers.

“We have some good upcoming freshmen that are probably going to start,” Kindle said.

Gage Sulltrop is expected to catch when Frerking is getting some rest at the DH. Alex McBain will contribute in the outfield and at pitcher. Haden Kelly can also pitch and play the corner infield spots.

“I’ve been impressed by Haden Kelly, he’s probably going to be one of our top three swingers,” Trick said. 

“(The freshmen) have played quite a bit of travel ball, they have a lot of experience, comfortability with the game, baseball intelligence along with the talent and a great work ethic too.”

The start of the season has been pushed back from March 23. Teams cannot play or practice if school is not in session.

The season will begin in April at the earliest.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here