Oak Park baseball is coming off a heartbreaking loss in the first round of districts against park hill south 10-9. Even though the season didn't end the way they wanted it to the Northmen had a historic season. In the 2022 season, the Northmen went 19-13 bringing the best record in the past 14 years to the program. The program also reached its 800th program win against conference rival Northtown in a slugfest for the ages 17-13. The team also started off the season 10-0. While recording 121 stolen bases and scoring 237 runs in 31 games. The Northmen did this with a balanced roster of seniors, juniors, and sophomores. All players contributed in some way to guide the team on the path of that historic season.
Coach Mayle is showing excitement about the prospect of having the young team from last year excel with the experience they now have. Through the past years the teams under Mayle have steadily improved from 2021 only winning 8 games but 2022 winning 19 games. Mayle is looking to surpass last year's record and reach the 20-win mark for the first time in 17 years. This year's team has 27 varsity ready players, according to Mayle whereas his first year he only had 6. He also stated that this is the deepest team he has ever had with multiple good players at ever position. Mayle is also extremely excited about the starting rotation and relief pitchers from all different classes. He believes this team has the talent and depth to make a run in the playoffs.
The Lineup
With a whole year behind that team and the seniors went the Northmen are gearing up to have another historic season. The Northmen have suffered both offensive and defensive losses in the form of leadoff hitter '22
Bubba Bogart (Dordt University; Football), Center fielder '22
Kael Davis, and Second baseman '22
Anthony Valadez (Northwest Missouri State; Baseball). Those losses have left holes in both the lineup and the defense. Yet the Northmen are looking to fill those holes with the bat and glove of Second baseman '23
Mitch Gratwick (Oklahoma Wesleyan Commit; Baseball), the offense and speed of Center fielder '24
Aiden Hinkle and the left-handed power bat '24
Hawkeye Roberts, along with many more. This team's starting nine all have varsity experience and a front seat to the district loss. Not only do the Northmen have many returning varsity players, but '23
Austin Dahlberg also who had to sit out last year due to injury, is making his comeback this year. He has made a great recovery and is ready to finish his high school career with a bang along with all the 2023 seniors.
The Pitchers
The success of last year was also due to the pitching staff of '22
Carter Poole (Highland; Baseball), '22
Jack Holm, '22
Caden Logan, and transfer student '23
Grayson Wright. Unfortunately, the Northmen will not see these players in the coming year, but the pitching staff has been filled. Although those pitchers were great leaders and players the Northmen have had many players step up to fill their shoes. Those players are, '23
Caden Beshears (Kansas City Kansas Community College Commit; Baseball), '23
Burke Sharpsteen (Maple Woods Community College Commit; Baseball), '23
Austin Dahlberg (Crowder Commit; Baseball), '23
Jake Eskijian, and '23
Karl Knaak. All these players have had great success at the varsity level and are only getting better. With elite hitters, lockdown fielders, and recovered injuries the Northmen are looking healthy and dangerous. They are looking to improve on an already fantastic year. The first game they take of Raytown is March 17th at the Yard.
