By Michael Moreci
Like most things, being one of the top-ranked high school teams is both a blessing and a curse. Jeff Baumgartner, head coach of Sandra Day O’Connor High in Phoenix, said being on top is good because of the recognition his team receives, and because his role players understand they have the opportunity to play on a nationally-ranked team.
But there are also pitfalls.
“Everyone’s going to come out and try to have their best game against us,” Baumgartner said. “We definitely have a target on our backs, so we have to work extra hard.”
And that workload has been even more strenuous for the Eagles this season. The team has been saddled with a number of nagging injuries, from sprained ankles to strained hamstrings. Not since their first game of the season has O’Connor been at full strength.
Most notable of the injuries has been to San Diego State-bound ace Maverick Lasker, a right-hander who has a low-90s fastball and command of three pitches. Last season, Lasker went 8-3 with a 2.64 ERA. At the plate, he hit .410 with 35 RBIs.
“If we had our full lineup, and everyone is healthy and on the same page, we’re as good as any team around,” Baumgartner said. “The fact that we’re 17-4 (as of April 13) says a lot about our team.”
Even with the injuries, the Eagles have plenty of talent and depth to fall back on. Still in the mix is senior catcher Travis Lane, who is currently hitting .492 with six home runs. Joining Lane is Arizona State-bound shortstop Zach MacPhee, who Baumgartner considers one of the best hitting shortstops in the state. MacPhee is hitting .452 through the season’s first 21 games.
In terms of pitching, the Eagles’ rotation still sports RHP Nick Carrillo and LHP Matt Broderick. So far, Broderick has been the team’s workhorse; he’s 4-1 on the season. Carrillo also has been eating innings, especially in Lasker’s absence. He also has been wielding a hot bat, hitting .492 with four homeruns and 36 RBIs.
While success has been trademark of Baumgartner’s program, the Eagles, he feels, still have work to do.
“Last year we were 29-6,” Baumgartner said. “Our goal is to win regional, then win state. Our goal is bigger things than having a good record. We want to compete for the whole thing.”