BATAVIA -- The Batavia Bulldogs infield may lack the poetry found in Tinker to Evers to Chance, but the veteran infield combination of Alex Beckmann (shortstop), Mike Sentman (second base), Jordan Coffey, Shane Holl (first base) and Brad Brandenburg (third base) is hardly sad lexicon.
Seniors Beckmann, Sentman and Brandenburg have been playing varsity ball since their sophomore season. They played freshman ball with Holl and Coffey, the only junior of the group, has been on varsity since the start.
Their playing days together date back to youth leagues, but it is rare when an entire infield remains intact like that through varsity games in high school.
With that experience comes a comfort zone, and the group has set the lofty goal of committing one (or fewer) errors per game.
"That's very difficult to do anywhere, let alone in a high school," Bulldogs coach Matt Holm said. "We set that high goal because I actually think we can do it. They work for that."
Beckmann is the linchpin of the defense at short, and the NIU-bound leader sets the tone offensively (two straight seasons of a .500 average) and defensively.
"As an infield unit, our goal is to make all the routine plays and make some good plays," he said. "It's just always something you strive for, is good defense, and that's what we have."
Batavia turned 15 double plays last year, a unusually high total that begins with the chemistry between Beckmann and Sentman. Holm says they communicate with each other without even realizing it, and when it comes to talking baseball, the two speak as one.
Sentman began the exchange.
"We know what each other's strengths and weaknesses are, so now we just play to that and make sure that we just know what the other person likes..."
"...with all the coverages and knowing who's got the base, we pretty much..." Beckmann continued.
"...just look over and..." Sentman added.
"...we just know," Beckmann finished.
And over at first, Holl can tell which infielder is throwing him the ball just by watching it into his chest. He doesn't even need to see who threw it. Brandenburg, oftentimes on an island over at third, knows that Sentman and his first baseman will help him out on tough throws.
Coffey has a unique perspective on the group. Not only is he fielding their throws, but as the staff ace he knows when he pitches he has less to worry about.
"If I see a ball hit anywhere in the infield, I just take my hat off (and) start wiping my forehead because I know I've got an out," Coffey said. "Having been with these guys so long, I know each of them is going to make the play."
Defensively, the infield is a strength. Offensively, Beckmann and Brandenburg set the table as the team's 1-2 hitters and Coffey is projected to hit cleanup. The No. 3 hitter is Brian Krolikowski, who tied a team record for home runs last season with 12. He also hit .404 with 41 RBIs and will be counted on to help ease the loss of Zach Deutscher (11 HR, 45 RBIs) to graduation.
Junior Ryan Welter takes over behind the plate while junior Tim Drish will man left field. There are 10 seniors on the roster, and there is a feeling that this year's squad has the making of something special.
"For sure," said Coffey, one of 12 juniors on the team. "It's good to be able to play with these guys one more year. We've been together our whole travel careers and just seeing everyone come along and finally gel together, it's going to be our one last time to play together and I think we'll be able to put something together."
Related Content [Click to close/expand]
Facebook App
Font Size
Black Text
Cell Phone Alerts