(New Buffalo, MI) - The goal for the New Buffalo High School varsity baseball team is to compete for, if not win the District 4 title.
The Bison have come a long way, mostly with the same players who struggled mightily as freshmen two seasons ago, with a winning record for much of last year brought to an end by a string of end-of-the-season losses.
Head Coach Adam Lijewski said a strong finish to the regular season and at least a victory or two in the postseason is what he believes the team, realizing its potential, can achieve.
“They’re starting to see what we’ve seen for a couple of years, so, now they’re starting to see it in each other,” he said.
Lijewski said success will have to come from contributions from every player since the roster from a talent standpoint is mostly balanced.
Ethan Lijewski and Vaughn Nikkel are expected to continue being the hardest hitters, while the rest of the batting line-up has no glaring weaknesses.
“It’s filled with some good hitters and then some consistent and mediocre hitters,” he said.
Lijewski is hoping the much-improved pitching staff from two years ago can rise even more to the occasion to get the team over the top, especially in low-scoring games.
There is no dominant starting pitcher, but Lijewski feels he has enough good arms that can go for a strong four or five innings in a game before calling for the bullpen. Lijewski said he’s also encouraged by how some of the pitchers from last year, who spent the off-season working with a coach on sharpening their skills from the mound.
“They’re lightyears ahead of where they were,” he said.
Ethan Lijewski, who’s also the starting quarterback on the football team, is the hardest thrower but he struggled at times last year with his control. He could become a dominant force on the mound, though, if the improved accuracy he has shown at practice in recent weeks continues into the season.
Steady play is also expected on offense and defense from players like third baseman Nicholas Wolfe and first baseman Hagan Davis. Measurable contributions are also anticipated from freshmen Drew Borman, Jeffrey Tertel, and Lucas Thun, who Lijewski described as “ball players.” Bowman and Tertel can also pitch and do some catching behind the plate.
“They help with depth at catcher and pitching. You can never have enough pitchers,” he said.
Lijewski predicted winning the District 4 title is going to be a battle between New Buffalo, River Valley, Michigan Lutheran, and Our Lady of the Lake.
“We have goals and we’re going to go after it. It’ll be tough. Anyone of us can win it,” he said.
