Boys baseball team has slow start to season, looks to build in thick of district play
The boys varsity baseball team is off to a 2-11-1 start to this season with a 1-4 District record after a 3-11 loss to Austin High on March 11 and two more losses coming from Bowie and Anderson, the chaps were able to get a win versus Akins 11-0 on March 18. While lackluster in their win-loss column, part of that is due to the in-climate weather they have experienced during the beginning of the season. As the field starts to dry and the weather heats up, the Chaps will look to do the same.
“It’s been very cold and wet, which makes it hard to throw a baseball,” sophomore Ely Knaupe said. “When you hit, the cold can make the bat vibrate which kills your fingers. But if we can play well in the worst weather, then we will be able to play amazing in the best.”
The Chaps opened the season up against Weslaco and Uvalde, games which they lost 1-7 and 2-11. But they were able to bounce back from these losses by posting 15 runs against Laredo Cigarroa, but falling by only two runs to Pharr San Juan Alamo.
“We didn’t play our best at Pharr San Juan,” sophomore Jared Fong said. “But part of that was due to things we couldn’t control.”
As for how this shapes out for the rest of their season, the Chaps will have to battle their way through a tough District in order to reach the playoffs.
“Last year we started slow, like we did this year,” Ely said. “Which got us behind early, so we have to start District play strong. With Hays and Lehman moving into the District, that brings more competition. So we have to start fast day one of District play.”
Despite all of the obstacles the Chaps have had to hurdle, they continue to stay optimistic about their season.
“We’re tight, we’re confident, we’ve got the skill and we’ve got the leadership we need to compete,” Ely said. “But it will be a hard season because of the great teams we have in our District. Bowie will be one of the best teams we will face this season.”
They look to build on their record by winning the next two games versus Lake Travis on March 27 and Delle Valley on April 1.
