Published: April 08, 2008 12:18 am            

HS BASEBALL: Bulldogs look to take the next step

Good teams win their share of ball games. The truly special teams find ways to overcome adversity and win when nobody thinks they can.

The Kenmore East Bulldogs want to show that they are a special baseball team, and overcoming roadblocks is on their things-to-do list.

“It appears like we have the desire to win. We’ve had very few mediocre practices. I feel like we’re practicing like a team that wants to win. The biggest thing for us is that we have to prove we can deal with adversity,” Bulldogs coach Les Simon said. “That’s what I have to see. What happens the first time we get a dropped third strike or the first time someone makes an error or (we) lose a close game or a tough game, how will we bounce back? That will be the litmus test for us to get to where we hope to be.”

Having made strides in that area last season, Simon hopes that maturity will help them progress even more.

With their core players having two-to-three years of varsity experience the Bulldogs boast experience and depth on both offense and defense. They’re also very strong up the middle with brothers Scott (pitcher) and Kevin (catcher) Whitehead, Frank Briandi (shortstop), Chad Moser and Cory Martin alternating at second base and Cody Novo in center field.

“You always build your defense from the middle on out and we feel that’s one of our strengths,” Simon said.

With eight returning starters, the Bulldogs look strong on paper, but they’re well aware that hard work is the only path to success.

“Everyone is working hard. Everyone is determined. We all want to win. We’re working hard because we want to be successful. Hard work and sacrifice equal success like it says on the back of this hoodie,” third baseman Jacob Kirbis said as he turned to show those very words on the back of his sweatshirt.

“That’s what we go by.”

The Bulldogs are also preparing for their annual spring training sojourn to St. Augustine, Fla., over spring break. Beyond getting in game action and sharpening skills it will give the Bulldogs a chance to become one.

“Team bonding is very important in any sport,” Simon said. “The kids stay together in rooms, we’re together pretty much 24/7 so you go from (being) 17 individuals to being a team.”

The Bulldogs will open their NFL season April 22 at cross-town rival Kenmore West.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.