Large amounts of early spring rain and snow may have put a damper on practice time, but St. Dominic baseball’s hot 8-1 start has surely dried up all the rain.

Even though the jamboree was cancelled, the baseball boys looked as though they had been playing all winter. They immediately swept the St. Charles West baseball tournament, and they continued their onslaught in regular season play.

After a 13-16 record last season, the boys are looking to bounce back this season, and boy are they off to a great start. So far they have outscored their opponents 74-25, which is an incredible margin.

“What really stands out about the team’s offense is our depth. There is a lot of different players who can get the job done at every spot. The team does a really good job of motivating each other to string hits together and have big innings,” junior Kyle Fowler said.

The team carries a total of 22 players and every one of them has the ability to make a significant impact on the field.

“In 32 years of coaching varsity baseball I cannot think of a team that has had this much overall depth. There are some very good ball players who are scraping for playing time. This is a good thing. No one or two guys need to carry the team on their shoulders. If one guy is struggling a bit there are many others who can pick them up and carry on. It also helps motivate players to work harder to keep that starting spot.  In the end this will make everyone better as the season progresses,” assistant coach Joseph Groaning said.

While the offense has been electric, the pitching has been even better. Together they have only allowed 25 runs, but can these pitchers keep dominating? Varsity head coach Frank Schlenke sure thinks so.

“We have eleven quality pitchers, we’re blessed! If we keep getting the pitching we have received so far, we will be in every game. It’s no fluke,” Schlenke said.

There’s no doubt that the hitting and pitching have been amazing, but that’s not what makes this team so special, it’s the bond that these players share with one another. Coach Schlenke may teach Biology and Anatomy, but he sure knows how to promote team chemistry.

“The bond we have as a team is unbreakable. Most of us are seniors who’ve played together for all four years and have gotten to know each other better both on and off the field. We look at each other as brothers and are open and honest at helping each other develop as players. This team is one of the most hardworking and dedicated teams that I’ve ever been a part of. We make the most of every practice and meeting in order to achieve the ultimate goal of being the best team we can possibly be,” senior Noah Hankins said.

The baseball boys look to continue their recent success this Friday and Saturday. They play Duchesne on Friday at 6 p.m. at Blanchette park. They also have game against Lutheran St. Charles and Winfield on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Don’t forget to support your fellow Crusaders!