As the Lincoln-Way West (LWW) baseball team prepares for the upcoming season, Head Coach Jake Zajc is concentrating on equipping his players for success both on and off the field.
According to Zajc, his journey into coaching began in high school and was solidified during his college years, where he played both football and baseball. “I’ve been involved in sports my whole life,” Zajc said. “After graduating, I knew I wanted to be a teacher and a coach. I started my career at Leechester High School and have been lucky to learn from great mentors.” His experience in multiple sports has influenced his approach, emphasizing hard work, teamwork, and personal growth.
Zajc embraces each new season as a fresh challenge. “Every year is a fresh start,” he said. He acknowledged that it takes time for things to come together but views this as part of the enjoyment. Reflecting on last season’s performance, he has set higher expectations for the team. “We lost in the sectional championship last year, and we want to come back stronger. We scheduled tougher opponents to push ourselves and improve.”
Lincoln-Way West will depend on standout players such as Kansas State commit Connor Essenburg and University of Illinois-Chicago commit Lucas Acevedo to lead the team this season. “Acevedo’s leadership will be vital, especially with the experience he brings,” Zajc noted.
Team chemistry remains a priority for Zajc, who plans a spring trip to Georgia for team bonding. “We play five or six games, but more importantly, we build relationships,” he explained. He also stresses handling adversity: “In baseball, things don’t always go as planned. Learning how to move forward is key,” he said. The focus is on fundamentals, playing cohesively as a unit, and recognizing that every role is important.
With a challenging schedule ahead, strong leadership from key players, and an emphasis on growth, Zajc and the Warriors are poised for an impactful season.