The LW West baseball program has established a solid foundation over the years, and this season, the Warriors are aiming to advance to the state tournament final four.
Head Coach Jack Zajc, who has been at the helm since the program’s inception, reflected on its development. “When we first started, we had small numbers, but the community, players, and parents have really embraced the program,” he said. “The last three to five years, we’ve taken steps in the right direction. We’ve won regional and conference championships, and now, we want to take that one step further.”
According to senior leader Connor Essenburg, maintaining energy and focus is crucial in every practice and game. “The biggest goal is to bring a ton of energy every day,” Essenburg said. “High-energy practices lead to efficient work, and keeping everyone on the same page is key.”
Lucas Acevedo, another senior player, emphasized the importance of preparation. He noted that putting oneself in high-pressure situations during practice makes it second nature during games. “The younger guys don’t have a lot of experience in those moments,” Acevedo said. “But as long as we do the right things in practice, we’ll be ready when it matters.”
Assistant Coach Jim Kohlbacher highlighted the significance of chemistry within the coaching staff. Having worked alongside Zajc for nearly 15 years, Kohlbacher remarked on their complementary roles: “We balance each other out,” he said. “Some days I play the good cop; other days it’s the bad cop, but at the end of the day our goal is to prepare these guys the best way possible.”
With a competitive conference schedule ahead, Zajc acknowledges that every game will be challenging. “The goal is to keep building,” he explained. “We’ll have ups and downs, but if we stay mentally tough and play our best at the end of the year, we’ll give ourselves a shot.”