As home run season approaches, the Platte Valley baseball team is preparing for the upcoming season. After their season fell short in the district final last year, they look to improve their game and achieve higher goals this season.
“We’ve said before that we have goals to host districts and hopefully make it to state,” sophomore first baseman Kale Hoffer said.
The team lost only one senior from last year, so they are ready to build on and grow from last season.
“We didn’t lose anybody from the team last year. We lost one senior from Ashland, and that was it, so we have our full team back,” junior outfielder Carson Hollst said.
Building on last season’s experiences, this year’s team is demonstrating more maturity and leadership.
“Last year, we struggled because we were so young. We lost a lot of close games last year. This year, the players are ready to take steps forward and find ways to win those close games. I can tell we are more mature and tougher,” head coach Shawn Emanuel said.
While Yutan has no seniors on the team, Mead and Ashland have five combined, and Yutan’s younger team will have to rely on the older players for leadership.
“[This team is] very similar to last year, but this year we’re growing because we’re a little bit older. This year we have a lot more seniors than last year,” Hollst said.
Besides growing their leadership, the players also spent time in the offseason working on their physical skills.
“[We worked on] pitching and team culture. We spent a lot of time working on pitching so that our pitching staff would be ready for game one. We also had several team meetings and team hangouts to help us set our standards,” Emanuel said.
The team hopes the hard work they put into the offseason will help them overcome challenges and tough games during the season.
“Playing DC West this year will test the team because last year, it was a very intense game. We went to extras last year, and we won 2-1,” Hollst said. “This year, we have to make sure we come out and play hard because we know they’re going to try and play hard too.”
Hoffer agrees that it will take everyone’s effort to win those tough games. “I think we just gotta be willing to put anything on the line, just be relentless no matter what, and we’ll have to make sacrifices when the time needs,” Hoffer said.
Each player’s commitment and eagerness to put in the work have helped the season start with a strong team culture.
“Right now, the players are really excited to be at the ballpark every day. The energy has been great. The selflessness is very impressive as well. So many older players are helping coach the younger players. Players are willing to be coached, play different positions and put the team first,” Emanuel said.
Even though the players are mostly the same as last year, they hope their energy will translate into success through the very end of the season.
“I think this team, this year, is hungrier to make it to state. We’re hungry to win games, and we’re prepared for anything,” Hoffer said.
