From the outset of the season, the Aviator baseball team confronted a difficult situation: the team had lost three starters to graduation, lost its long-tenured coach, Matthew H., and the team largely lacked experience as a whole. Thus far, those issues have manifested over, and the team has struggled to find success, dropping its first fourteen games, including its first four Coastal League games.

Despite these struggles, the team has persisted with its goal of improving as the season progressed. Over the past few games, the team has made good on its goal, battling and almost coming out out with its elusive first win of the season.

The team’s finest effort of the season arguably came against New Roads on April 25th, its most recent game, at its homefield of Holly Park. The teamed dropped the game by a score of 11 to 8, but the team exemplified unrelenting heart and determination. Sophomore Anthony H. collected a team-high two hits, as well as a team-high two runs batted in.

The game started off remarkably enough, as the first batter of the game, Junior Mark R., took the opposing team’s pitcher deep for a home run on the game’s very first pitch. “Everyone was hyped from the start,” said senior Alejandro G. The Aviator were by no means done there. In the sixth inning of the game, with the Aviators trailing, Junior Meka O. collected his first hit in three tries with a single to right field. Junior Markus C. followed him up with a double to deep center field, scoring Meka in the process; unfortunately, Markus was caught trying to stretch his double into a triple when he was beat to third by a stellar throw from the outfield.

The Aviators continued their rally, but ultimately came up short. Still, their efforts leave room for optimism. There are five games remaining in the season; the next two coming at Holly Park and the final three on the road. If its game against New Roads was any indicator, the team could scratch its first tally in the win category this season. If the team were to wait until its very last game to accomplish this, they could have extra incentive to come out with a victory — their opponent is New Roads, after all.