The De Smet Jesuit Baseball Team is currently 3-2 in their season and working hard so players are prepared for what is to come.  Each practice, players are doing their best to improve.  After a few games into the season, players remain confident that this year’s team will be a force to be reckoned with.

Although the baseball team has lost good players from last year, it has talented returners and promising new athletes who will play major roles in the team’s success.  Two of these returners are junior Erik Miller and senior Mike Plassmeyer, both of whom are left-handed pitchers.  Miller, who has committed to Stanford, will help support De Smet with his impressive pitching, with a fastball reaching up to 91mph. Plassmeyer finished last season with 34 strikeouts and four walks and allowed only 11 earned runs.  Seniors Troy Beilsmith and Mike Berra will also play a role in leading the team to victory.

Last year the Varsity Baseball team lost a legacy: that is, Greg Vitello. Dave Stewart will be filling his shoes this year. He expects players to have a high level work ethic and commitment. “He [Coach Stewart] expects perfection and expects us to give our best and leave it all out on the field,” Plassmeyer said. With high level talent for the new coaching staff to work with, the standards are set high.

The De Smet Baseball team will face several challenges this year. Some of the team’s challenges will come from their competition; others will come from within the team itself.  They will face strong teams such as CBC, Francis Howell and Timberland.  The ultimate goal for the team this season is to win a state title.  Players also have individual goals that they strive to achieve. “The main challenge we have is proving ourselves to the coaches and to the state that we are as good as we are,” junior catcher Adam Gunter said.  Players have set a high standard for themselves, and are hopeful that they can achieve them.

Players have been working hard to prepare for this season.  In the off season, they spent their morning and afternoons going over workout plans.  In addition, in the fall they were outside long tossing in order to build arm strength. Players also practiced on their own time to prepare themselves for the season.  “I hit a lot on my own time, went to the bullpens, and threw with my dad,” Gunter said. Some players are busy during the off season practicing with and playing for other teams. “For my summer, team I usually go and throw bullpens,” Plassmeyer said.  During the season, the team is usually on the field every day practicing and working hard in preparation for their next game.

The team has learned from the mistakes made this season. With many new players a returners, there is much potential for the team to do well. Players are working hard every day to get better, and are hopeful that they will go far this season.