The Saint Joseph baseball team has a fresh batch of new faces ready to take the field, and leading the pack coming out of the dug out this year are seniors Franco Biffle (1st Base) and Dallas Downey (Outfield). With eight seniors having graduated last year from last year’s decorated team, new young faces are ready to take the field for the first time as well as some veteran players ready to make more of an impact. The twenty twenty six baseball senior class includes Biffle, Downey, along with Drew Snyder, Jordan Thomas, Ethan Valpetic, and Josiah Gustine. When interviewed, Biffle and Downey stressed that the strong bond between the team and the push from the seniors to the team to desire to get better and work harder every day is the reason the team is going to find success this year. 

One of the major vocal points of why they also believe they are here to contend is the strong influence of Strength Coach, Coach Scott Pherson. If anybody has ever met Coach Pherson, they will tell you he is intense, but that also he will push you to get stronger mentally and physically everyday. Downey stated, “The hard work from the team in the weight room is something that is going to transform this team. We will for sure be hitting nukes this year”. It is clear to see the strength developed in the weight room from Coach will be a major factor in the team’s run.

Additionally, ready to add to the team’s value is a heavy shower of underclassmen suiting up for the squad. Biffle claims, “there are some real players in the freshman and sophomore classes…they can help us win.” 

Finally, the long friendship between Dallas and Franco that has lasted since they were playing T ball together has shown in their desire to not only win this season but enjoy it to the max. “At the end of the day we are playing baseball with our best friends every day” Dallas said, “but no matter what happens we have to know to enjoy every second of it.”