Hear the sound the metal cleats clacking against the sidewalk. Feel the smoky, cool breeze. See the players in blue T-shirts talking to each other and their coaches. 

This is baseball season. 

The Spartans season has started, but the team is losing. Specifically, they have lost eight consecutive games with a record of 4-13.

“It’s not where we would want to be in a perfect world, but I think we’re playing good competition,” said Bill Angelo, head coach of nearly 30 years. “We’re… still trying to figure out what our lineup is going to be, and kind of where everybody fits in, and along with the competition that we were playing.” 

Yesterday, they lost to College of DuPage by three points. 

“I think our record doesn’t reflect how we played so far,” said Wyatt Sabalasky, a second year catcher/outfielder. “We’ve had a very difficult schedule with a lot of nationally ranked teams.” 

So far, the Spartans have played Blackhawk College, Wabash Valley College, and Harper.

“It’s definitely off to a rough start, but we’re definitely seeing areas that we’re doing well in and things that we can improve on,” said Josh Caccia, a second-year pitcher. “We still got a long season ahead, and I believe that we can turn this slow start into something great. 

He noted the team’s hitting should “improve to the point where all those close games that we win by one run or two runs.”  

Like Sabalasky, Caccia are not discouraged by their losing streak. 

“We played great competition,” Caccia said. “They were all close games. It wasn’t anything where we got blown out. We saw what our mistakes were and we’re going to be able to improve upon those.” 

The team is using practice to work on their skills. 

“We take a lot of ground balls but we hit and throw every day,” Angelo said. “Our pitchers will throw bullpens, which are kind of like game-like situations without a batter in there, just working on their pitch arsenal, and do some base running.”

Angelo stated that the team does basic drills in every practice. 

“We are working on the fundamentals, offense, our game plan and mindset.,” he said. “I think our biggest thing that we need to do this year is we lost a lot of guys off of last year’s team that were regular starters for us.”

He is optimistic that the team will have a good record this season.

“We’ve been really close in a lot of games, and just haven’t got our offense going yet,” he said. “Once we get our offense going, we’ll be fine.” 

Sabalaskey said that practice can affect his performance during games.

“Absolutely, practice translates,” he said.  “If you practice how you play, you’re going to play hard.” 

The players use practice time to take care of their bodies. 

“One of our main things that we do is our arm care which is part of our strengthening program,” Caccia said. “It’s what keeps all our arms healthy and keeps us strong to go throughout the season.” 

Before each game, players arrive early. 

“I like to take the first 30 minutes just get[ting] the body stretching, moving a little bit, get the blood flowing, a couple of quick sprints and anything to get the blood flowing,” Caccia said.

The Spartans play Rock Valley College tomorrow at home. The players are confident that they will have a better season.

“Keep putting in the work,”  Sabalaskey said. “Once you put in the work, you’re gonna see the results.”