Every year this school boasts an elite athletic program with a large number of teams that have chances to go to the state playoffs. Our baseball, lacrosse, softball, tennis and track teams are ready to be successful once again, and they all need fan support to win. Here are the games to watch for each of the spring sports.
For the varsity baseball team, one game to go to is on Apr. 19 at home against the reigning state champion Northwest. The Patriots beat the Jaguars last year in a 5-2 thriller. Current juniors Ryan Mariani and Harrison Cance both led the team against Northwest and provided the Patriots with much needed run support. Senior Jeremy Goldstein would love to see a large crowd on Apr. 19 rooting on the home team. “We need a big crowd against [Northwest] because we want to show to the county and to our school that we are a great team,” Goldstein said.
The boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams have been one of the most popular teams here for years. This year’s game that fans should mark on their calendar is on Apr. 25 where both the boys’ and girls’ teams will play rival Churchill. The girls will play at home while the boys will go on the road. Junior Hunter Band hopes that students make the trip to see the Patriots attempt to beat the Bulldogs. “Fans should come watch us play Churchill because it will be a competitive game that will be fun to watch,” Band said.
The girls’ softball team’s game to watch is also Apr. 19 against the Northwest Jaguars at home. The two teams have formed a rivalry over the last two years as each team has eliminated the other in the playoffs in the past two seasons. Junior Hannah Johnston is excited to renew this rivalry. “We are all looking forward to playing Northwest because both teams are very good, and it would feel great to beat them,” Johnston said.
The tennis team has two big matches to watch this season. They play Churchill at home on Apr. 16 and Whitman on the road on Apr. 23. These are two of the top teams in the county and if the Patriots want to defend their state title they will need to succeed against both teams.
Track has their home meet against BCC and WJ on Apr. 17. The Patriots and BCC have always been rivals because they have been similarly skilled in the past. Both the programs are top tier and the Patriots will need to be at their best in order to come out with a win.
If you only have the ability to come out to one spring sports game this season, these games will offer you the most excitement, and all hopefully end in Patriots’ victories.
Ethan Reff
JV Sports Editor