Two outs, down one run, with a trip to the state championship game for the first time in school history on the line. Runners go…swing and a miss…and it’s over. The season ends with a record of 28-1, one win away from the chance at a championship. Here is a wrap up of the 2022 varsity baseball season and a look at the promise of the 2023 season.

The 2022 baseball season was the winningest year in Amherst history. With many personal and team goals accomplished and records broken, the season was truly one for the books. The best way to sum up how the season ended was Coach Held’s message in an interview, “We are all left with the agony of knowing that baseball, just as in life…isn’t fair.” This statement reesonated with the seniors who had led the team head on. Every player, not just the seniors, were grateful for the amazing season. Then sophomore, TJ Brandl, expressed what many of the players were feeling, “Dissatisfaction, it felt like that was our game to win.” Many of the returning players look to fill the shoes of their idols as Amherst begins its push for their next conference title and playoff run.

Going into the 2023 season, the Falcon squad is looking to repeat the same success they found last year. While losing a few major contributors from the previous season the Falcons are ready to get back at it: “This will be our own, brand-new season that controls our own brand-new narrative,” explains head coach Bill Held.

Amherst returns six of their starters that helped their mighty playoff run last year, but finding this team’s identity will be the key to success. This year’s senior class, with their experience from last year, will be crucial to helping the younger guys reach their potential. “Us seniors have to show the little guys how it’s done. Take them under our wing to get better,” says senior Aidan Jastromski.

Along with new guys filling roles, staying healthy will be critical to this season. “Staying healthy and creating a competitive atmosphere to make us better every day will be the key to success this year,” said Assistant Coach Gregg Trudell.

One key player to look out for in this coming season is TJ Brandl. He was mainly a designated hitter last season, but year he will be set to take on the starting first base role. Brandl expresses dedication to his craft and has spent countless hours in the offseason training. Increased production from him will help bridge the gap from the previous year.

While still early in the year, the open gym atmosphere has fueled hunger for the season to start. With practices set to get underway on March 20, the Amherst Baseball team is poised to have another year to remember.

A record-breaking season

The 2022 Varsity Baseball season was one for the books. There were 25 school records broken with another 26 statistics within the top 10 of various categories. There were three players who broke individual school records while 16 other records were broken by the team overall. Wyatt Blaskowski, a junior, led the team with four solo records broken followed by Ben Lee, senior, with three, and Jake Hoffman, senior, with two.

Most notably broken as a team were total wins, hits, runs, and earned run average (ERA). Amherst notched 28 wins while collecting 254 hits, scoring 278 runs. The team ERA was an astonishingly low 1.4919 on the year!