A season's end means only one thing, it is time that we reflect on the trials and tribulations that the NDCL Junior Varsity Lions encountered throughout their 2012 campaign. Finishing with an overall record of 10-8-1 (7-3-1), the JV Pride won 5 of their last 6 games to finish with a record above.500!
Including a 12-11 season finale victory over rival Walsh Jesuit, that could not have summed up the spring in a better way if it had been scripted. After leading 11-4 going into the top of 7th inning, the Lions fell privy to the late inning jitters as Walsh plated 7 runs to even the score at 11. After a one out double by clean-up hitter Anthony Leonetti and an intentional walk to center fielder Ryan Proud, in stepped Sophomore First Basemen Chandler Walnsch. Walnsch, who finished the season with a .290 batting average, was down in the count 1-2 yet proceeded to single to right-center field. After a brilliant base running read by Leonetti, I had no intention of putting up the stop sign in the 3rd Base Coach's box. With the ball beating him to the plate, our burly catcher had no choice but to come in with a hard (but legal) slide, causing the ball to squirt loose and an immediate mobbing to commence at home plate!
Like I said, a game that in my eyes perfectly summed up the JV Pride's season: a great start, rough middle road, and fantastic finish!
Here are a few statistical categories, to better gauge the Lions season as a whole:
Hitting
BA: .347
Runs: 151
Hits: 172
SB: 48/55
BB: 84
Ks: 90
OBP: .470
Pitching
ERA: 4.67 (Based on 7 inning scale)
Ks: 131
BB: 98
WHIP: 1.82
AVG: .248
The last thing on the Lions plate for 2012 is the Spring Sports Banquet on June 5th, where the coaching staff will recognize a Team MVP, Most Improved Player, and Coaches' Award Recipient. However, more details to come on that in the week following the banquet.
With the season finally in the books, I personally now look forward to my next venture. Approximately one month until I depart for the IMG Baseball Academy in Bradenton, FL! See details on that here.
Lastly I do have some short closing remarks on the 2012 season; if these young men learned half as much from me as I in turn learned from them, that I would undoubtedly consider that a successful season! Thank you guys, it was a great ride and I was privileged to be apart of it! Good luck to all of the JV Lions in their summer seasons, time to get ready for the 2013 journey, stay hungry fellas!
Pride!
