By Jayson Camacho '15

A team that struggled to field a team last year is off to an impressive start this year at LREI. With a record of 5-3 entering the playoffs, the Boys Varsity Baseball Team has found new energy with the help of a new coaching staff, two senior leaders and an enthusiastic group of new players determined to succeed in the Independent Schools Athletic League.

Athletic Director Peter Fisher is back at the helm this season. Peter has been coaching the baseball team for the past five years. He’s seen the team at it’s lowest and seen how the program has progressed in the past couple years. When asked about goals for the team this season, he said, “First, we needed to make sure we had enough players, especially pitchers, because every team struggles with that. I know playoffs are usually the first thing on a player's mind, but my top priorities are improving our players and teaching the game. Once we improve in learning the fundamentals, then we gain confidence and can start worrying about strategy and winning.” 

Coach Alan Kim, a new biology teacher at the high school this year, is also coaching.  Alan's strength is his enthusiasm and encouraging the younger players. “I’m excited,” he said about coaching. “It’s the first time I’ve really done a lot of coaching with a baseball team. I love baseball and this is something I’m psyched to do!”

Practices for the team started in March before spring break. There was a good turnout, with 14 players committed to play on the team. The team includes players of all different skills levels, but there is one goal for everybody on the team and that’s to improve and represent the school in a good fashion.

With this goal in mind, senior Jonathan P. has taken on a substantial leadership role. He often leads practice if coaches are unable to go. “I’m used to be a leader on the team,” Jonathan said. “Ever since I was young, I’d always take a leadership role on my team. I’ve been playing baseball my whole life and there’s a lot that I can teach to the younger players on the team this year. There’s a lot of freshman and beginners on the team and I just want to help them get better.”

After only practicing two times and down key player, senior Jayson C., the Knights faced the Garden School for a chilly season opener. Eleventh grader Patric W. was set to pitch. The Knights quickly put two runs on the board in the first inning, but gave up two runs in the following inning. Patric finished pitching in the third inning after the Knights secured a 4-2 lead. Tenth grader Davis S. took over from there and got two key outs before Jonathan P. was given the ball to secure the win. The game was called in the fourth inning due to a loss of daylight. The Knights won the season opener 8-6.

Following a loss to league champions, Birch Wathen Lenox, Jayson returned to the team for their game against rival Churchill. Brisk temperatures led to a rocky start, with multiple errors in the outfield and Churchill claiming a quick lead. The Knights were having a tough day offensively only getting two hits before the game was called due to weather. The Knights fell to 1-2, losing 11-0.

They returned to the field the following week against rival York Preparatory School. Jonathan was set to take the mound against the uptown school. He started off the game strong, not allowing many runs. On offense, everyone was putting the ball into play and getting on base. Both teams went back and forth on the scoreboard. In the fifth inning, Jonathan hit a three-run home run to right field, giving the Knights a solid lead. Jayson took the mound next and struggled to find the strike zone. He soon settled in and was able to get out of a tough inning, before facing a similar situation in the last inning. He had a 3-2 count with bases loaded and two outs before York’s best hitter hit a bases-clearing, two-run double, taking away any remaining momentum that the team had. LREI lost the game 11-7.

The Knights came back strong against the Brooklyn Friends School, trying to avoid a 1-4 start to the season. Patric took the mound for his third outing of the season and pitched a scoreless four innings. The Knights were unstoppable on offense, scoring six runs in the first inning, three in the second, and six in the fourth. The game was called in the fourth inning, due to the 10-run mercy rule, making the Knights 2-3 on the season. 

Jonathan took the mound in the next outing against BFS. He must have woke up on the right side of the bed because he was unstoppable! Jonathan struck out 19 players, allowing no hits. Only two of the possible 21 outs, came from balls put in play! He threw the schools first no-hitter and set a new record for strikeouts in a game. The Knights won this game 5-0 and clinched the playoffs with a 3-3 league record.

After another strange win against Garden, the Knights were set to face York Prep for the final time of the season. This matchup had the third seed in the playoffs on the line. The only way the Knights could earn the third seed was by winning by at least four runs. LREI was missing key starters, Patric and Gabe L., so the sub players were ready to set up. Jonathan took the mound once again. York started off with a hard-hit double that hit the fence. Jonathan struck out the next three batters, leaving that sole runner on third.

Jonathan continued his excellence and threw 19 strikeouts, allowing only three hits! On offense, they Knights made some noise and jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the 3rd inning. In the bottom of the fifth inning, ninth grader Luke S. had his first hit of the season, giving the Knights a 5-0 lead and a chance to clinch the third seed. Luke had bases loaded with two outs and hit a ground ball that the shortstop couldn't handle. The Knights went on to win 6-0 and clinched the third seed in the playoffs

The Knights have made tremendous progress from last season. They already have five wins, while last season they only had two wins overall. A team that struggled so recently to fill the field now has dreams of winning the championship. Head Coach Peter Fisher says he is confident that the team will compete well in the playoffs.