Eau Claire North Huskies ready to make impact on diamond
Confidence and core values are key factors for the Eau Claire North baseball team as the season opener is right around the corner.
Last season, the Huskies went 15-8 on the season and went on to claim a regional title. The team was defeated by Stevens Point in the sectional semifinals.
This season, North has its eyes on going all the way.
Head coach Jordan Fish is in his third season with the Huskies. Prior to being the head coach, Fish was the assistant coach under Bob Johnson for 10 seasons.
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'It is about starting with the fundamentals and getting the guys together back as a group to start to introducing our systems,' Fish said. 'We have a lot of guys that have different experience within our program so we should be able to hit the ground running.'
Eau Claire North will kick off their season against Holmen High School on April 1.
The Huskies have eight seniors on the roster and the chemistry between the players is something that comes naturally.
'We have been playing together since the age of six so we have a strong bond,' senior Jack Gorman said. 'We have a confident mindset on our abilities.'
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The Huskies have taken advantage of open gym opportunities as well as individual workouts during the offseason.
'I couldn't have asked for anything better in terms of the work ethic,' Fish said. 'They come every day whether it is practice, open gym or games, they are ready to work. They are willing to do whatever it takes to be successful.'
North is looking for revenge this season and the team is hungry for that state title. Senior Ben Mettler said the challenge of this season will be winning the Big Rivers Conference Championship.
'There are a lot of good teams in the Big Rivers Conference so we have to stay strong and play hard,' he said.
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Gorman said trusting each other, working hard on and off the field and playing together as a team will lead the Huskies to many wins this season.
Gorman and Mettler are getting ready for their last season with the Huskies and the Eau Claire North program.
Both seniors said they want to hold onto the memories of their senior season and make their last ride the best one yet.
'Just making memories with the team for the last year. It is the last time playing with these guys so we want to make the best of it,' Mettler said.
Coach Fish said his team has shown their abilities to work through adversity and challenges.
'There is not one person who puts themselves above the team,' he said. 'They are willing to do whatever it takes to help the entirety of the program and it is just a really special group in that way.'
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