Hoban baseball strikes out STVM

Beating St. Vincent- St. Mary has recently turned into a Hoban tradition. This year alone, the football team beat the Irish 35-3 at Infocision, while girls basketball bested them in an intense match-up at the JAR, winning 41-40. Girls soccer, boys volleyball and girls lacrosse have also charted wins against St. V, and now, the baseball team joins the ever-growing list of victors against our rival, as they won 6-3 Sunday night at Canal Park.

“The team knew that in order to win we had to play as one, so we went out there and did just that,” junior pitcher and first baseman Alec Haas said.

“It’s always a great feeling to get a win and it’s even better when you can take down one of your rivals after knowing how hard we worked for that moment,” senior shortstop Mack Timbrook said. “We felt that beating St. V could be a turning point in our season and we came together by battling pitch by pitch to come out with a win. Everyone contributed and it was a real team effort.”

Timbrook, a Kent State University signee, had two hits from three at-bats, one of those being a triple. Fellow senior Mason Tipton went two for two, while also making key plays from the outfield. Starting pitcher freshman Shawn Parnell pitched four innings, chalking up six strikeouts for the Knights before moving to second base, as senior Josh Lane relieved him during the fifth.

“There’s definitely a difference in the way I view the game as a senior versus how I did in previous years,” Timbrook said. “As a leader, this year I’ve tried to help our team grow by hyping up the other guys on the team and doing my best to keep a positive attitude about this season and where we’re headed.”

Timbrook and the other eight seniors used their prior Hoban baseball experience to help lead and guide their younger teammates during the rivalry game. They also helped each other become acclimated to a brand-new coaching staff this season. Math teacher and previous Walsh University center-fielder Andrew Bonnette stepped into the head coaching position, bringing along with him three new assistants, including economics teacher Jack Pecnik.

“The coaches work extremely hard to make sure that as a team we continue to take steps forward,” Haas said. “They emphasize a focus on taking care of the little things, and controlling what you can control, two mindsets that when accomplished, can help us reach our full potential.”

Together, the players and coaches will strive to improve their 3-6 record, and a win against St. Vincent-St. Mary was exactly what they needed to boost team morale. Beating the school rival will further the team’s determination to succeed, yet for now, they will take pride in defeating St. V and join the ranks of football, girls basketball and every other sport who has conquered the Fighting Irish.

“Anytime you get the opportunity to play at Canal Park against our rival, you have to make the most out of it and to see the scoreboard go in our favor was a great feeling,” Haas finished.