Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 2016, Page 132

Description:	fihlunior Isaiah Shake swings though a hit into the outfield, Tgames with dominate hitting through multiple innings like in thagainst BNL. II. Junior Gage Rolen runs back to the dug out after wahis pitching before a game. Rolen proved that he and many others vvies to teammates on the bench in the i/arthan winds up for a pitch. WarthanTo every player the team, the season inevitably proved to make some memories they will never forget.It was the bottom of the last inning, and the game was on the line. It was tied at five after an intense and arduousbattle between Bloomington High School South and Bedford North Lawrence High School. Senior NicholasWright strutted up to the plate and dug into the batters box while staring down the pitcher. The next pitch waslaunched over the left field fence. A walk-off home run. While it was definitely the biggest spotlight Wright hadbeen under so far that season, he was hardly unprepared for it.It is well known that it takes a great amount of physical skill to hit a home-run; however, not much attentionis given to how much mental preparation and vigilance required. The baseball team put a huge emphasis on thatpart of their game this season. Senior pitcher Aaron Keselich attributed this to the coaches. Coach [Phillip]Kluesner has [me] do mental reps during practice, Keselich said. It helps with visualizing the game coming up.For junior pitcher Benjamin May, the focus for a game came in the practice. I imagine smyself in the game whenI am warming up, May said.When the team did not make it onto the field, they were in Coach Kluesners room going over strategy andmental exercises. Sophomore Alexander Franklin honed his mental strength just as much as the physical. In asport where good players get out 60-70% of the time, it takes practice to bounce back and stay upbeat, Franklinsaid.To maintain this mental positivity, the team had several traditions they carried out that kept the mood lightAccording to May, when a home run was hit, the hitter might receive the silent treatment. Keselich said that theyplay two ball or pepper whenever [they] have down time, and their mischievous and rowdy bus rides helped toease the pressure before a game. The mental stamina of the players this year paid off in moments like Wrightswalk off - moments that the players will not soon forget.- MAX GROGG
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/9768
Collection:	Bloomington High School South

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