Holy Trinity baseball coach Tom Kelce couldn’t help but feel a little excited as he was on his way to the team’s first preseason game.
“As I was driving to the game, I had a smile on my face the entire time because it’s baseball season,” Kelce said. “I love coaching. I love coaching at this place. It’s a great school. And the kids give you (everything) they’ve got. It’s perfect. I love it.”
If things go the way Kelce and the Tigers think they will this season, there will be a lot more to smile about before it’s over.
Although Holy Trinity will be quite young — again — the belief is that this team could become the first to reach the regional tournament since 2015.
“I think our potential’s good,” Kelce said. “As long as our pitchers throw, I think our hitting’s going to be fine and our defense is going to be fine. I think it’s going to rely on our pitching, which I think is above average from the past years we’ve had.
“I like the team. I really do.”
Junior lefty Cannon Hopper had a solid season last year and should be even better this year with more experience. Sophomore Devin Jackameit is a right-hander who gets movement on everything he throws.
Senior Greyson Christie will be the team’s third starter.
A big strength of the team this season will be the infield, particularly up the middle where senior shortstop Sal Carlson and sophomore second baseman Roman Carlson have a strong brotherly bond.
“Me and my brother in the middle of the infield, we’ve been working together for over 10 years,” Sal Carlson said. “Anything up the middle, we pretty much have chemistry on anything. It’s almost gotten to the point where we don’t have to talk to each other.”
Since this will be the last year the Carlson brothers will get to play together, they’re trying to make the most of it.
“It’s awesome. I love it,” Sal Carlson said. “It’s really cool to see someone you grew up with playing right alongside you. Plus, we hit right next to each other in the lineup, too. It’s cool.”
Rounding out the infield are junior Camden Rethwisch at first base and Jackameit — when he’s not pitching or catching — at third. Eighth-grader Ethan Nunes will also play third.
The outfield features sophomore Brody Belboccio in center with eighth-grader Lucas Kapatoes in left and Christie in right. Freshman Braedon Kite is a utility player who should see a lot of playing time either in the infield or outfield.
Holy Trinity’s every day lineup figures to shift a lot depending on who is on the mound and who is behind the plate. Jackameit and Roman Carlson will split time at catcher.
Senior Caleb Adsit is an outfielder and designated hitter, while freshman Dominic Mormile can play first base and pitch. Evan Cline is a junior who has been out with an injury, but can play either the infield or the outfield when he returns.
The Tigers are certainly setting their sights high this year, including a trip to the regionals.
“If our pitching comes through like I think it’s going to be, I think we can actually get into it this year,” Kelce said. “Looking forward to it. Excited.”
