Although the Palos Verdes High School’s baseball season started roughly, the team gained momentum just in time for the beginning of league games.  The limiting factor for success in past years has been a lack of team chemistry, but this year, due to large amounts of team bonding, they have become closer.  This year’s group of players is supposed to be one of best teams from PVHS in a while.  Although it lost many key players from last year’s team, such as Alec Lowi, Ryan Corcoran, Mikey Montpas, and Mark Karmelich, the team has filled the shoes of these missing starters.

This year’s team has improved many of its past weaknesses, ranging from a lack of hitting to an inconsistent pitching staff.  The team has practiced almost every day since the first day of school and it has paid off.  The Kings finished last season with a 2.51 ERA (Number of runs per seven innings pitched), but this year, they have lowered it to a 1.94.  The pitching staff’s largest weakness last year was the high number of walks, so throughout the offseason, coaches and pitchers stressed first pitch strikes.  Junior pitcher, Alec Abdalah said, “The biggest problem our pitchers faced last year was the lack of confidence in all of their pitches. This kept them from being able to get out ahead of the batters early. Once the pitchers get ahead early, it puts the stress on the batter instead of the pitcher.”

The pitching staff gained many new members this year who have held key roles in this season’s success.  Kyle Mcelroy, Willem Weber, and Grant Korn were added to the relief pitching line up this year and have surprised many people with their success.  Kyle Mcelroy has pitched 12 innings with a 1.70 ERA.  Willem Weber has pitched nine very important innings, helping the Sea Kings hold onto their lead in many games and has earned two wins and a 1.56 ERA. Grant Korn has pitched 13 innings, holding a 2.69 ERA and one win.  Another key role was filled with junior pitcher, Jacob Criss.  Criss was only expected to throw a few innings, but once senior pitcher Jackson Smith injured his arm, Criss entered the starting rotation.  He has already pitched 22.1 innings and played in eight games.

One major weakness of the offense last year was a lack of trust in coach decisions. This year, the team has worked hard on improving the way they run their offense such as by starting to buy into the “small ball” and other play callings their coaches give them.  Abdalah said, “We have learned to not be “I guys” and to score runs more efficiently.  We became more efficient, because we trust our coaches’ play callings even if we do not agree with their calls.”

Another notable improvement the players have made is being able to keep their minds in the game for all seven innings.  Many of  last year’s losses were due to mental mistakes during the last two innings, so one of the biggest team goals through the summer and fall games was to be able to focus throughout all seven innings and to avoid dumb, mental mistakes like last season’s errors.  This season, Sea Kings have come from behind to win seven games in the late innings of the game.  This includes two great game-winning hits during extra innings against Mira Costa and North Torrance.

With the season coming near the end of league,  the Sea Kings hope to earn a position in the CIF playoffs.  Currently second in Bay League, if they maintain that rank, they will accomplish their goals.  If the players maintain this consistency and focus throughout their practices, it might just be a homerun of a season.