The University Academy baseball team is in the final stretch of its season. So far, the team has faced many ups and downs. Led by head Coach Martez Gardner, with 11 games played and five wins, the Gryphons have had a challenging season so far.
The team started the season off by winning its first four games while bringing home the championship from the North Platte Tri Tournament.
UA assistant coach Samuel Carr expressed difficulties due to weather such as rain and low temperatures at the beginning of the season, as well as many successful and unsuccessful games.
Though the beginning of the season was tricky due to weather, the team continued to stay in great spirits.
The Gryphons also experienced a surprising increase in players this season.
“We’ve had 33 players come out for baseball this year, which is the most I’ve seen during my three years with the team,” Coach Carr said.
This high number includes athletes from University Academy and Ewing Marion Kauffman School, since baseball is a co-op sport at UA, and the baseball team is very proud of its numbers.
There have also been many outstanding players this season, such as University Academy senior Tyson Strickland.
“Strickland is a catcher and has shown leadership and determination throughout the season,” Coach Carr said.
Another notable player from this season has been junior Thomas Smith. Smith has shown up for every game and leads the pitching staff.
“A new achievement this year for me has been that I started off the year with more strikeouts than last year,” Smith said.
Baseball is a team sport, dependent not only on skill but communication and teamwork as well. Smith and Coach Carr both mentioned how challenges including miscommunication and lack of trust can deteriorate the team’s efficiency. Smith also expressed how the team can fall short without enough practice and dedication.
“Baseball is a game of failure, and no matter how many times you fail, don’t quit,” Smith said.
Though baseball can be overwhelming and time consuming, the sport offers lots of opportunities.
Coach Carr said any athlete “interested in developing excellent hand-eye coordination, improving coordination and athletic timing, developing a strategic vision and being a part of a team dynamic should try to play baseball.”
As the season soon comes to a close, the Gryphons will be representing UA in the district tournament at Summit Christian Academy starting on Friday, May 16.
The University Academy baseball team has shown great sportsmanship and dedication throughout this season so far, and the players would love support at their next home game on April 30 against Van Horn at 4:30 p.m. at the University Academy baseball field.
