Junior varsity baseball swings into the season with their first game tomorrow, Jan. 13. (Find the complete schedule here). The energetic group of 17 boys has been practicing since October with head coach Jarin Hayase.

“They’re young and lively so they have lots of potential,” Hayase said. “They’ll need to put in lots of work, but if they put in the work we’ll be okay.”

Last year, the jv baseball team won 5 out of 7 games.

“I hope we can pick up where we left off last year and keep grinding. I believe we have a shot to take first again,” said Logan Cabanilla-Aricayos, returning sophomore player #5.

The freshmen make up most of the team, with 13 freshman boys and 4 sophomores.

“I’m looking forward to the season because we’ve been working hard, training hard, and fixing up all our errors. I can’t wait to see our competition and show them what we’re made of,” said Jace Baqui, freshman player #6.

As the season approaches, the sophomores have faith in their freshman players.

“We’re progressing towards where we need to be. Our team has a very close relationship, and I know it will show on the field,” said Justin Shiffler II, returning sophomore player #15.

The team is ready to pull together and work their way to the top.

“We’re prepared mentally and physically, but we just have to show it on the field,” said Lee Franco, freshman player #16.

As the jv team prepares for their season, three sophomore varsity players — Jarin Correa, Nathan Facuri, and Iokepa Supnet — have been practicing with them.

“I have faith in the jv baseball team. They’ve been looking good so far, but of course they could always improve on teamwork,” Correa said. All three varsity baseball players agreed that this season’s jv baseball team is coming together and believe they can make it to first place in the MIL, if they work for it.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Photo by Gabrielle Constantino

Tyler Toshikiyo runs to first base during batting practice.