This season, Linfield baseball was preseason ranked No. 1 for the Northwest Conference. According to coaches and players, this is both an honor and a nullity. While being the preseason No. 1 team means the team has a lot of talent, it does not yield results on the field with a conference full of stiff competition.
“When you look at our roster and the people we have, it is fair to say we are the preseason No. 1, but you could say that about three or four clubs too,” head coach Dan Spencer said. “It’s not necessarily a motivator, it’s more of a reminder that we have a pretty good roster, but that doesn’t mean anything unless you prepare and do what you’re supposed to do.”
Senior utility player Nathan Kassler agrees.
“It’s a great feeling to know others have confidence in our team this season,” Kassler said. “But the ranking doesn’t really mean anything. It doesn’t win games for you or provide any tangible advantage on the field.”
While the ranking cannot guarantee wins for the team, it is a testament to the hard work the team put in during the offseason. From when the players first arrive on campus in August throughout the season in the spring, the team does practices and intense workouts in preparation. Whether it’s hitting the weight room, batting cages or running, the team puts in the work to ensure there are no surprises during the season. Kassler appreciates what the offseason has done for him as a player.
“I feel strong and am moving well. I’m holding weight which is great, and I feel really comfortable with my swing and the adjustments that need to be made on a daily basis to stay consistent,” Kassler said.
Spencer claims a huge strength the team possesses is success on the mound. The roster features talented, experienced pitchers ready for the season. He says their defense is commendable, but their offense is still getting there.
“We pride ourselves on being elite defenders,” said Spencer. “Last year, we were really good offensively. This year, we are still solid, but need to improve there.”
Even with the preseason first place ranking, the competitive conference opponents offer foreseeable challenges throughout the season. The conference opponents for baseball differ from the opponents for other sports at Linfield.
“Anyone can beat you on any given day. It’s not like some of the other sports on campus, they are not tested every week like we are,” Spencer said. “It makes you better in the end, but there are no places to catch your breath.”
If anything, the No. 1 ranking puts a target on the team’s back.
“Everyone wants to beat the No. 1 team,” said freshman outfielder Rylan Gullard. “Every game, we have to come out of the gate aggressive.”
With this constant competitive atmosphere and a rough schedule, how will the team prepare for tough opponents?
Kassler mentions assistant coach Jordan Harlow’s sentiment that the team must prepare to “beat the team’s ace,” or beat the other team’s best player. This means the team must study the other team’s pitches and hits through film. This will ensure the team is prepared for anything. In addition, the team does velocity training with machines that can simulate breaking, fastballs and much more.
“We must go into every game with the mindset that every team wants to beat us and this game is the biggest game of the season,” Gullard said.
Although there are tough opponents, Linfield is ranked No. 1 for a reason. They envision success and are excited for the upcoming season with their talented roster. Not to mention the team has a united outlook for hard work and triumph. As a freshman, Gullard quickly noticed and became a part of the chemistry of the team. He claims that the team has great communication and amazing talent, a sentiment shared with senior Kassler.
“The team as a whole is a unit of guys that truly want to win and compete with the best every day,” Kassler said.
With approximately 40 games this season, the team has a lot of room for success and failure. The question remains — will Linfield baseball stay No. 1?
