Photo courtesy of Hastings College Baseball's Twitter
After their third place finish at state last year, the anticipation for the Hastings High baseball team’s season is high. Combined with their past success, the construction of a new turf home field has both spectators and players excited.
“The advantage of a turf field, as opposed to a grass field, is we can play games even after heavy rain or snow,” senior Samuel Wibbels said.
There are many advantages to a turf field, including helping with Nebraska’s typically inclement weather.
“With turf instead of grass, there will be less bad hops, and the ball will come off the bat a lot smoother,” sophomore Trevor Sullivan said.
The University of Kentucky baseball commit has high hopes and expectations for the upcoming season.
“I think we have the ability to compete at the highest level this year and hopefully win a state championship,” Wibbels said.
Despite losing many seniors last year, the team also has some new players to contribute. Junior Laif Hultine is a transfer from Adams Central, and it will be his first year playing high school baseball.
“High school baseball will definitely be a lot more competitive than what I’m used to, but I’m up for the challenge,” Hultine said.
Aside from transfers, many underclassmen are hoping to step up their game while playing on Varsity this year.
“Making the jump from JV to Varsity will be a difficult change, but I think we can adjust to it,” Sullivan said.
Hultine has high expectations for his own performance, as well as the team’s this year.
“I want to be one of our top pitchers, and I hope that we will work well enough together to bring home a state championship,” Hultine said.
Each team member has been preparing all throughout the offseason in order to maximize their performance this year.
“I lift and hit every morning, and then I workout and throw bullpens after school,” Hultine said.
Hastings High’s baseball team seems to hold a common goal for this season: win a state championship. Their new, state-of-the-art field, combined with both old and new talent alike, will definitely help them achieve this objective.
