Coming down from a high while losing many core seniors, the HHS Blue Devils’ Baseball team is ready for a return. The Blue Devils yearn for a comeback with new seniors and rising underclassmen.
Junior Kole Bagnell believes the seniors were role models for not just the baseball team, but the entire school.
“I think they are going to be big shoes to fill, but the upcoming juniors and seniors can do it,” he said.
Their trip began with a plane ride to the “Sunshine State” of Florida with the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Senior Frank Sacco chipped in the game with 2 hits and Lukas Guerrier made an impact going strong 4 innings while allowing 0 hits and striking out a total of 9 players. With much enthusiasm, Guerrier is only 13 strikes away from smashing 100.
In a recent interview, Guerrier reflected on this moment stating, “I am very proud of myself for being able to reach this accomplishment in my career.”
Fast forward to the week of 4/8, the Devils improved their record with a shutout, 10-0, against Schalick. Senior Brayden Markart led the offensive with 3 doubles and 3 runs scored, while Jaxon Miller had 2 doubles and 5 RBIs. Senior pitcher Jaiden Franchetti, struck out 6 on the mound while collecting 2 hits on the plate.
Franchetti believes that the previous seniors “showed us how to be a good team last year, how to work together and the seniors should continue to do that this season.”
On April 13, the team volunteered at the Dr. Jonathan Pitney Recreation Park for the Field of Dreams event which is a league for disabled children.
PJ Hroncich and the Devils helped players go up to bat and run the bases.
“It was a good thing to help others and share my love of baseball,” he said.
The Hammonton Baseball team spent time with the children representing pillars of service and character. Volunteering at this event improved their leadership and communication skills.
One thing Jamison McNally learned about leadership was to “be a leader not a follower.”
Honorable mentions go to McNally with a low ERA of 2.2 and Bagnell with a 0.360 batting average. Sophomore Ethan Peterson joins the varsity baseball roster this season with hard work and dedication.
Peterson said, “It’s an honor to be on the team and I enjoy playing with the guys.”
Members of both the JV and Varsity teams contribute to improving their respective teams’ records after every game.
In the words of Sacco, “Our team goal this season is to win. Keep the wins rolling.”
Although Hammonton Baseball lost many crucial players from the 2022-2023 season, it’s not the end of the book, but the beginning of a new chapter.
