The KO varsity baseball team finished the regular season with an impressive record of 11-6 making it to the Founders League semifinals, but ultimately losing to Loomis Chaffee.
The Wyverns have been solid for the entire season. Assistant Coach Ryan Radmanovich talked about some of the major contributors to the team. “Our main starting pitchers are [senior Co-captain] Devin Wolf, and [junior] Adam Merritt,” Coach Radmanovich said.
Assistant Coach Peter Jones was quick to mention the play of junior catcher Nate Bowes. “Bowes came in with a lot of experience and has done quite well,” Coach Jones said. “He’s the most impactful new player.”
Senior outfielder Co-captain Mac Louis talked more about how the team has come together as a whole. “I’ve honestly got to say as a team, not one person truly stands out,” he said. “When we do play really good team ball, we’re the best team in the league. It’s hard to beat us when we’re all clicking together.”
The team has racked up some immaculate wins against strong Founders League opponents in Avon Old Farms, Choate Rosemary Hall, and Loomis Chaffee. Entering the final game of the regular season, the team had faced three straight losses. Two of these losses saw the Wyverns get overpowered by an overwhelming offensive attack and the other loss was a closely contested 3-2 loss to Choate Rosemary Hall. The team was looking to make a statement and boost their confidence before the playoffs began.
The final game of the season was held on Wednesday, May 17, at home on Senior Day against the perenially strong Westminster School. The team had faced Westminster earlier in the season but was unable to secure the victory. This Senior Day contest would be vital for the Wyverns and their push for a championship. Merritt took the mound and worked five innings, pitching the shutout. Bowes racked up two hits that afternoon, keeping the Wyvern offense moving. Late in the game, Wolff would score Louis on a sacrifice fly to center field, giving the team the lead 1-0. Sophomore infielder Dom Trolio came in relief to slam the door on Westminster. This defensive battle on Senior Day was won by the Wyverns, and Merritt added another win to his already impressive season record. This was a massive victory for the Wyverns which catapulted them to the postseason.
Coach Radmanovich is aiming high and looking to fulfill the team’s goal from the beginning of the season, but he knows the task at hand is much easier said than done. “This year we were looking to win a championship, The Founders League Championship, and that’s the goal and that was the goal going into spring training this year when we took the team to Florida,” he said. “Our goal from day one is to win the Founder’s League Championship and we’ve put ourselves in a good position right now, but it’s going to be tough.”
With the success they found in the regular season, the team headed into the Founders League semifinals facing a tough opponent in Loomis Chaffee. The team fell 10-6, but showed grit and determination until the end. Congratulations to the varsity baseball team on a strong season and we wish the seniors the best of luck in the future.
