Local Sports Journal

The Mona Shores Sailor baseball team has seven returning starters and a solid group of pitchers this season.

“Strengths of this year’s team are not only the experience gained from last season, but also the pitching depth,” said Sailor coach Walt Gawkowski, whose team finished 17-15 a year ago.

Key returnees include sophomore catcher Chase Baker, junior outfielder Colin Rabach and six seniors: GageVeltman (infield/outfield), Joe Kostrzewa (pitcher/outfielder), Kyle Lawson (pitcher/infield), Steven Pelfresne (pitcher), Austin Swiatek (outfielder) and Jared Karnitz (outfield). Korstzewa batted .333 a year ago and Lawson hit.304.

Not only does Gawkowski have a solid corp of returnees, but some solid newcomers, led by seniors Adam Ulfsax, a catcher and outfielder, Collin Adams, a lefthanded pitcher, Cam Hren, a pitcher and infielder, and outfielder Donovan Wilcox.

Other newcomers include juniors Julian Loera (infield), Cade Messinger (catcher/outfield), Cory Sander (infield), Alec Sturr (outfield), Jonah Shafer (outfield) and Chance Eigenaur (infield). Another newcomer who has caught the eye of the coach is freshman Tyler Trovinger, an infielder and pitcher.

“The OK Black looks to be very balanced with several teams capable of winning the league championship,” Gawkowski said. “We hope that we will be in the mix.”