“Go back to state for the third time in a row, play at Principal (park) and then be the first team from Wahlert to win a game at state.” These are the goals Owen Funke, ‘18, and the rest of the baseball team has for the coming season.

Funke who pitches as well as plays shortstop, is a second year varsity member and is one of the five returning starters this season. He comments that the right side of the field will be looking the same with Austin Savery, Alex Timp and Mitch Morel, ‘17.

However, the left side is going to look different with new people replacing seniors such as Bo Burgmeier, Judd White and Isaac Evans, which Funke thinks will be the team’s biggest weakness this season along with hitting.

Pitching, on the other hand, is the team’s greatest strength because the team returns the top three pitchers for last year, including Timp, Savery and Funke, as well as new talent such as Jack Jaeger, Zach Kemp, ‘18, Alex Robbins and Luke Meyer, ‘17.

Team chemistry is also a vital part of the baseball team this year. The best parts of the spo

rt are,“The camaraderie with all the guys who give up their summers for baseball, hanging out with the guys at Johnny P and spending all day with these guys being able to bond,” Funke said.

As for softball, the team’s biggest goals are to make sure they’re communicating well and know where the plays are. To do this, they have to overcome their biggest weakness, which is not being able to get their third out. Both of these changes are vital in being able to beat their biggest competition this season, Jefferson.

However, the team has many strengths that make them unique. “Our biggest strength is our team’s chemistry, we all get along really well, and we always have a lot of fun,” said Alysia Kunkel, ‘18. The team spends a lot of time together, which strengthens them both on and off the field.  

Maria Klein, ‘19, a third year softball player for Wahlert, comments that the best part of softball is, “The team, the atmosphere and when my teammates make plays. It gets me pumped, and it’s fun to be around.”

Both baseball and softball are off to a good start for their seasons. The varsity softball team plays Saturday at 9 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. The varsity baseball team holds a record of 3-0, and they will be playing at North Scott tonight, JV at 5 p.m., and varsity following.