Building confidence key to NCC baseball postseason play

NEWPORT – Unless they make another state tournament run, it appears that Newport Central Catholic’s current streak of consecutive 20-win seasons will end at three.

This year started off rocky for a program just two years removed from a state quarterfinal appearance. The 8-19 Thoroughbreds are looking for a spark that can propel them to another deep tournament run.

“We need to get some wins so that the players have some confidence heading into district play,” head coach Jeff Schulkens said.

The ‘Breds came up with a big win over Dayton on May 1, snapping a 10-game losing streak. It appeared that the team was starting the new month fresh. Then, they dropped their next two games by identical 10-0 scores. NewCath did show signs of life in a 5-1 loss to Covington Catholic on May 5. Right now, building confidence is the biggest goal.

“The players have continued to work hard, but lack confidence in their ability to be successful,” said Schulkens. “They need to start believing in themselves and their teammates.”

Every win over the next two weeks will be a possible turning point. Each victory brings hope the Thoroughbreds are ready to turn this season around and get back to their winning ways. Unfortunately, they have not yet been able to string together consecutive wins since April 11-12.

“There was a sense of relief (after ending the 10-game losing streak),” said Schulkens. “I was hoping we could build off that win but so far we have not.”

This season has been a strain on the team’s veteran leaders. After winning 45 games over the past two seasons, including six postseason wins, the team’s six seniors expected to fare better in 2014.

“It has been a challenge for them,” said Schulkens of his upperclassmen. “They have been asked to do more than last year and so far have not responded.”

Freshman Spencer Pangallo has been a bright spot for the Thoroughbreds. The pitcher and infielder has played beyond his years and held his own against older competition. Even if the future looks promising, the Thoroughbreds are not yet ready to give up on the 2014 season.

Improved fundamentals could unlock the confidence and swagger that has been lacking so far this season. There is still time for the ‘Breds to make incremental improvements in order to put all phases together in time for a playoff push.

“We need better pitching, defense, and hitting,” said Schulkens. “Pitchers need to do a better job of throwing strikes. We simply just need to start making plays defensively.”