Image: Senior Sebastian Trinidad batting during the game against University of Kansas on February 20th, 2024. Final Score: Islanders 10, Jayhawks 14.
Story by Sam Kunkle | Photos by Kyra Blundell | Translation by Victoria Escobedo
The surmounting success of the Islander’s Baseball team is becoming evident as the team has been constantly on the rise, collecting victory after victory with no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Head Baseball Coach Scott Malone gave a great deal of insight as to the team’s plans this season, as well as the inner workings of the team’s efficiency as a whole, especially after the team’s record of 3-3.
Concerning the future of the season, Coach Malone said, “I love the way this team is built. The Islander’s baseball team has always been known as a big group of hitters and, y’know, it’s always been our calling card, ‘Can we out-hit the other team?’”
“We’re just getting started, 2 and 2. We just played two excellent games on the front to start the season. I think that we feel like the pitching might be our strength and those guys were outstanding in game one and game two. And if we can keep that up, then we’re going to be a really good team this season,” said Coach Malone concerning the beginning of the season as well as their most recent general progression of victories.
As for the specifics of the team’s skills, Coach Malone admitted to some minor setbacks but none that he felt couldn’t be resolved through the continuous excellent work ethic of the team as well as their impressive adaptability. Coach Malone commented on the intricate team dynamics as well.
“This group of kids is as blue-collar a group as I’ve ever had, so the work is easy,” said Coach Malone. “And I don’t mean to take anything away from it, but they really bring it everyday. These guys like to come early, they like to stay late, they like to work and get better.”
This echoes the coach’s earlier statements about his pride in the team, as their evident work ethic and hunger for victory is the main fuel that keeps pushing the team to be greater and better than their last game. And according to Coach Malone, there will be no amount of setbacks that can stop their momentum.
Coach Malone went on, “I feel like this team might be put together in a different fashion, maybe pitchers first; it’s a talented group. I think it’s a great recipe to try and see if we can finish in one of the top spots, win us the Southwest Conference Championship and go to the post-season tournament, continue to win, and to represent our league.”
This is another testament to Coach Malone’s confidence in the team’s competitive capabilities and overall athletic achievements.
Coach Malone continued, “I love the talent that we have on the mound. I think this group will go as far as our talented rotation will take us,” cementing the evidence of our baseball team’s streamlined teamwork and hard-earned prowess on the field.
Coach Malone further explained his assessment of the team and their competition, stating, “Y’know for one, I think it’s a concentrated effort, probably by my staff and my design to build leaders. And everybody always talks about leaders. We’ve got really good followers, and I don’t think you hear that said that way a lot. Sometimes you can have a lot of good followers and we have a lot of good followers, and I think that shows up when you get off the bus and you get ready to start your day. It shows up when the umpire says ‘play ball,’ and I just think we have, y’know, thirty-five guys that are built strong and looking to pull for each other and want to put the team first. And I think that’s what’s going to carry these guys down the road.”
These words should be a clear indicator as to the team’s determination to achieve as many victories as possible within their capabilities. And with Coach Malone to aim them in the right direction, the Islander baseball team is expected to go far this season.