Senior first baseman Jack Casteel dug into the batter’s box, facing an 0-1 count. Casteel blasted a fastball off of the centerfield wall, scoring two runs with a double.

With two RBIs and a run, Casteel played a major role in an eight-run inning that handed them the rubber match over Vandegrift in an 8-4 win. The Chaps took the first game of the series 1-0 before dropping the second 5-11. They then handily defeated the Vipers in the third game May 3 to move past the bi-district round and into the area championship.

Crucial hits are nothing new for Casteel, who has four home runs and 23 hits on the season. He has helped his team to a six-win improvement from a disappointing 2024 campaign in which they went 19-11-1 and missed the playoffs.

“Last season we had a lot of struggles losing games we shouldn’t have,” Casteel said. “This season we’ve battled really hard and won all the games we should’ve.”

This improvement shows in their 9-3 district record, and the Chaps are hoping to continue this success throughout the playoffs.

“I’m hoping we continue to hit the ball well and the pitchers continue to do their job on the mound,” Casteel said. “I’m feeling good for a deep playoff run.”

Facing Brandeis in the area championship, the whole team will have to fire on all cylinders to advance.

“Our team has really come together this year,” Casteel said. “That’s really translated onto the field in the way we’re playing for each other.”

After missing the playoffs last season, Casteel is faced with only one postseason run before moving onto collegiate baseball.

“I ended up having a really good junior season, so a lot of division one and division two schools reached out to me last year,” Casteel said. “My mom and I sat down and really saw the advantages of going to junior college, so I found one I liked and ended up committing in August.”

Despite the prospect of playing at the next level, Casteel is still staying in the moment and focusing on the task at hand.

“The state championship is always a big goal, but I think we need to focus on one week at a time,” Casteel said. “I believe we can go far as a team.”