Roncalli graduated most of last year’s state championship team but returns with shortstop Hayden Harper, center fielder and leading hitter Nick Schnell and catcher Max Bridgewater.
RONCALLI (23-9): Late-season 14-2 surge resulted in state championship … 10 seniors graduated … third-year coach Aaron Kroll and Rebels rebuild with few returnees … junior co-MVP/center fielder Nick Schnell (.444, 36 hits, 31 runs, 21 RBIs) back with pitcher/shortstop Hayden Harper … senior catcher Max Bridgewater and sophomore infielder Brian Keaney have limited varsity experience … juniors in infielder Harrison Koppenhofer and outfielder Pete Baker among new starters … inexperienced pitching corps features Schnell, Harper, senior Jacob Wormann, juniors Hank Daniel and Max Linton and sophomore Max Lundy … Rebels have speed on bases.
Coach’s comments: “As defending state champions we will get everybody’s best shot every time we take the field. Our goal is to compete this year. Most of our players this year are up from JV; now they will get their first taste of varsity competition.
“Our younger kids will have plenty of opportunities to play. Defensively we will be solid up the middle. Our entire pitching staff is new. Our goal two years ago was to put together the toughest schedule we could to toughen us. It paid off last year. We have set the standard to be considered a top program every year.”
Coach’s comments: “As defending state champions we will get everybody’s best shot every time we take the field. Our goal is to compete this year. Most of our players this year are up from JV; now they will get their first taste of varsity competition.
“Our younger kids will have plenty of opportunities to play. Defensively we will be solid up the middle. Our entire pitching staff is new. Our goal two years ago was to put together the toughest schedule we could to toughen us. It paid off last year. We have set the standard to be considered a top program every year.”
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