As the baseball season approaches, Wolves players prepare for a strong season with goals including winning conference and stepping into new leadership roles.
Despite many athletes graduating last year, players and coaches believe that a young roster led by rising juniors is ready to take the next step and win. The team will be coached by business teacher Christopher Macahon who is taking on his second year as head coach.
“With a younger group, it’s about learning to compete every inning,” Macahon said. “If they stay confident and play together, we’ll keep improving as the season goes on.”
Since taking over the varsity program last year, Macahon has implemented several changes: increased off-season training, stronger team bonding opportunities and higher expectations for players both on and off the field as student-athletes.
“Showing up and putting the work in all year builds the program and builds camaraderie, ” Macahon said.
Senior and left fielder Lucas Som believes the expanded off-season schedule has strengthened relationships within the team while helping players prepare physically for the season.
“We do a lot of lifting. [Macahon] wants to focus on strength and also incorporate some hitting and some pitching as well,” Som said. “Offseason’s just time to bond with teammates and stuff, while we all look forward to the season.”
The Wolves finished second in the CSL-North conference and fell just one run short in the regional championship as their season ended with a 5–4 loss to New Trier.
“I feel like we can overcome and win with the incoming juniors,” Som said. “This year will be more of a younger roster, but they have a lot of talent and can fit in perfectly with solid roles. I didn’t get it last year since I was a junior, but it means more now that I am senior. I really wanna win.”
Those close finishes in either conference have become motivation for junior and pitcher Brock Davis who is a first year on varsity this spring.
“I believe our team’s goal should be to win the conference,” Davis said. “Being part of a winning team again would be fun.”
Som has been preparing to step into a leadership role since last year; he knew that most of the team would be moving on to play college baseball.
“The seniors taught us how to lead and what to expect,” Som said. “They showed us how to lead even when you’re not always playing, especially pitchers who only play once a week. They helped us learn how to keep the team motivated even during rough stretches.”
When it comes to player performances, Wolves exceeded typical national high school benchmarks. They have a batting average over .300, an on-base percentage above .400, and strong base running production. Still, players say improvement remains a priority.
“I want to work on my hitting because I batted .330, which is solid, but I feel like I could do better. I’m gonna try to bat .430 this year,” Som said. “We don’t have the same events as last year, so I need to do more to help the team win.”
In terms of team goals, for Coach Mac, it’s all about the fundamentals.
“We want to play smart, aggressive baseball — throwing strikes, making routine plays, and putting pressure on teams offensively,” Macahon said. “If our players grow, stay accountable, and build strong relationships as a team, that’s a successful season. When guys play, loose, trust each other, and enjoy competing, that’s when good baseball happens.”
Tryouts will take place on the baseball field on March 2 and 3.
