The OPHS varsity baseball team has been training diligently for this season. Players had been working for nearly ten months leading up to this moment and were excited to finally start league play. Although the team lost 17-0 against Simi and did not get the result they were hoping for, they are still looking ahead to the rest of the season. 

“It wasn’t the result that we were hoping for, but I’m glad this game happened. The result hurts, but that pain will push us more in the future,” senior pitcher baseball player Royce Willis said.

Throughout the game, the team struggled to find a turning point that could shift the momentum. However, there were still moments where the team showed energy.

“From the beginning it felt like we were a little behind, so there was not much of a turning point. However, I do think that putting in Sebi Rad to pitch at the end gave us some momentum, though it was too little too late,” Willis said.

The team’s energy remained strong during the game. Players were excited to compete, especially since it was their first league matchup of the season. 

“I honestly thought our energy was good. The team clearly wanted to play, especially since it was our first league game,” Willis said.

Even though the team struggled as a whole, individual players were able to make exceptional plays. 

“There were a few good performances for sure. Aaron Berro went 2-for-2, and his last hit was a double on an extremely low pitch that he muscled into the game. Matt Leehey also had some very hard hits,” Willis said.

Overall, the game was a valuable experience for each player which helped them gain new skills for the future.

“I think the 0 on the scoreboard hides some of the hitting that I thought our team excelled in,” Willis said. “Even players without actual hits, like Max Mosenko or Sebi Rad, hit the ball hard; it just happened to be hit at other people.”

For many players, the biggest feeling going into the game was excitement after months of preparation.

“I was just excited to see what the team could do. We were training for this game, along with the rest of our league games, for something like 10 months—how could I not look forward to it?” Willis said.

The team hopes to improve and use this first game as motivation moving forward. 

“Practicing everyday, winning games [and] getting through the grind of the season. I can tell we’re getting better,” Willis said