As the spring sports’ seasons begin it is difficult to find more excitement surrounding a BSM sports team than the BSM baseball team. The Red Knights look to build off of last year’s strong fourth place State Tournament finish with even more hardware this upcoming season. Even though the finish was not what they desired, the Red Knights are motivated to be even better this year.  

The Red Knights are led by key seniors that will look to help them to reach their goals this season. Joey Corbett (.325 BA), Alex Houlihan (.302 BA, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 2-1, 2.44 ERA), Matt Brooks (.433 BA, 9 RBI, 1-1, 2.60 ERA), Peyton James (2 HR, 12 RBI), and Virginia Tech commit Derek Drees (.403 BA, 11 RBI, 4-2, 2.35 ERA). all are key contributors from last season’s squad, who started the season with a training trip over spring break to Florida.

The Red Knights went down to Fort Myers this past spring break to enhance the team chemistry and scrimmage some local teams. “The Florida trip was a great experience because it gave us the opportunity to start playing baseball earlier than most of the teams [that we compete against] and get a jump start on the season. More importantly, the team bonding was unreal because we spent so much [time] together,” Drees said.

Trips like this continue to enrich the already strong team chemistry for this team.  “One of the reasons that this team is so different than [those from] years’ past is that we are very close on and off the field. We are all brothers and there is a special bond between all of us, as well as the fact that we all share the same common goal,” Corbett said.  

That common goal is another crack at winning the AAA State Championship, as well as defending their Metro West Conference title. “My expectations for this season are nothing short of making it to Target Field and winning the State Tournament, as well as winning the always difficult Metro West Conference for the second year in a row,” Drees added.

With a conference of perennial powers such as Chanhassen and Chaska, it always gives the Red Knights a good test before entering Section 6AAA play. Also, BSM plays very difficult non-conference opponents throughout the regular season, including Totino-Grace, Edina, and Hopkins. The team’s gauntlet schedule also includes a decisive regular season game against Section 6AAA opponent Delano.

This tough schedule should lead the BSM Baseball team to not only yet another successful regular season, but also to a deep State Tournament run as well. The season starts with the season opener on Saturday, April 8, at 1:00 pm, at Totino-Grace.