Upon concluding their regular season last week by winning their division and thus earning a bye through the third round of the 3(A) Metro League Playoffs, your Braves varsity baseball squad has had the week of from competition since our last report.

The team has used their full week off to prepare for their upcoming matchup against Roosevelt Saturday, May 7th. Roosevelt presented the team with issues in their lone regular season matchup against the Braves, dishing the team their worst margin of defeat all year in a 1-8 loss for the Braves. The team will look to capitalize of of their rest and deliver a more favorable outcome in their second chance to take on the Rough Riders.

Being that the team has not competed in over a week, the focus of this weeks report will revolve around the team’s regular season as a whole. Not simply a synopsis of the the season, but rather recognizing the performances and players that captivated the team and their fans throughout the regular season. Simply put, we gave out team awards.

These accolades ranged from silly and outlandish, like best social media personality, to recognizition of major accomplishment during the season, like Cy Young Pitcher of the year. Random players we’re selected and asked to choose the winner of each award and speak on why they felt that person was deserving of the award. Now that the precedent has been set, it’s time to sit back, relax, and see who took home hardware for the 2016 Bishop Blanchet varsity baseball regular season.

“I would definately have to go with my guy Alex French for the team’s best bench booler (dugout hype man)” said Senior Adam Gryniewicz. “He puts in work in the score book every day, he always giving quality high-fives and handshakes. You can  tell he loves the team and everything we’re about. If I could be anyone on the team, I would wanna be French cause he’s a baller.” 

“It’s gotta be the Alex Freeman dab for best post-play celebration” said Senior Joe Auter. “After a pitcher has finished warming up, the catcher will make the final throw of the pre-inning warm up period to the shortstop to simulate throwing out a runner stealing second base. When Freeman makes the practice tag at second base, he’ll toss the ball underhand to me and continue the motion into a dab. That’s definitely a favorite among the team”

“Best social media personality is hands down Alex Freeman, he’s the obvious choice” said Senior, Alex Merrywell. “His quality Tweets are getting people out to the games on a regular basis.”

“The team’s best fan is tough one” said Senior, Ryan Howard. “There are so many die-hard fans in contention; Aiden, CP, Rog… It’s gotta be Aiden Sharp though”

“By far the best/favorite moment of the year was Ryan Howard’s home run” said Junior Tommy Vail. “I definitely think everyone on the team would be in agreement on that. If not his home run, than it was getting the DINGER SZN t-shirts that he made for the team.”

“Tommy Vail’s 15 strikeout, full game was easily the best individual performance of the year” said Senior, Alex French “It wasn’t just the numbers of the performance that made it amazing either. It was the fact that he delivered the performance in a crucial game that the team needed to pick up a win in that made it even more impressive. It’s hard to vote for any other performance.”

“The best whole team performance of the year was our win over the eventual 3(A) League champions 

Lakeside” said Junior Jackson Jansen. “It was a pitchers duel, we knew the first team to make a big error or throw a pass ball was probably going to lose. We were locked in the whole game and refused to give them an edge.”

“Out of anyone on the coaching staff, coach of the year is  absolutely coach Finn.” said Sophomore, Simon Serwold. “Stepping in after Monica retired, he’s done a fantastic job. He’s really killing it at the head coaching position. He’s really helped us to grow both individually and as a team over the course of the year. We’ve matured so much from his guidance, and we’ve been through a lot of good and bad experiences and we couldn’t have made it through the year without him.”

“The team’s most improved player is Ryan Howard, there’s no question” said Senior, Riley Noonan. At the beginning of the year in tryouts it was a joke, he was just that really fast kid who can’t play. Now he’s a dinger boy and can really compete in other aspects of the game than just baserunning.”

“The team’s rookie of the year is a hard one to pick” said Junior Micah Perry. “I’d have to go with Chase Font. He has been one of the best hitters all year for us. For a first year player in the varsity program, his impact was definitely felt and his performance day-in and day-out was extremely impressive.”

“I really can’t think of one individual person off the top of my head for the team’s Gold Glove fielder” said Junior Nick Jebousek. “We were solid defensively in all positions and performed consistently on that end. I’d say we have a whole defense of Gold Gloves.”

“I’d say the team’s Silver Slugger is Dylan Lamb, no question” said Junior Nate Spear. “He finished the year as one of our only guys batting above .250 and as or individual hits leader. It would be hard to go with anyone else after his production this year”

“The team’s Cy Young pitcher is definitely Tommy Vail” said Junior, Dylan Lamb “Tommy has been really good for us all year and he always stepped up to the challenge and delivered when we needed him most. Coming through for your team when called upon is what makes a pitcher great and Tommy did that for us.”

“I’d say Jake Lamb was our team MVP this year.” said Senior Alex Freeman. “We really look up to him for guidance when we’re struggling and it’s really helpful to be able to watch him on TV because, if you didn’t know, he plays in the MLB… If it can’t be Jake I’d have to go with the next best thing which is Lil Jake, or as you know him Dylan Lamb. In all truthfulness it’s Dylan because he’s great for us on both sides of the ball. Not many guys can have an impact on their team like Dylan has for us. He’s nice.”

The Braves varsity baseball team had a phenomenal regular season, finishing with a 13-7 record which was highlighted by a 7 game winning lasting from the 23rd of March all the way to April 8th. The team won their 3(A) Metro League division title and earned a one of four top seeds and a bye through the first two rounds of the playoffs.

None of this could have happened if not for everyone on the team contributing in one way or another. Regardless of whether they were a Bench Booler or a Silver Slugger, they made the season what it was, a flat out success.

Make sure to come out to Lower Woodland to support your Braves as they begin a brand new season with a clean slate, the playoffs. The team takes on Roosevelt tomorrow, Saturday May 7th, at 9:00am. It’s never too early to start your bid for best postseason fan.