Bright future ahead for HSMSE Baseball

The High School for Math, Science, and Engineering’s boys' baseball team has dramatically improved from its winless 2014 season. The team followed its 0-13 record from 2014 with a 6-2 record in 2015.

The 2014 season did not go as planned for the boys’ baseball team. The team finished last place in its division and was demoted to the PSAL Developmental League. The team has overwhelmingly improved, with coach David Scheiman crediting this improvement to the team's growing desire to win.

Henry Schoenfeld (pitching)
/ J. Schoenfeld

"I think they want it more [than last year]," Scheiman said. "I think they are taking it more seriously [than last year.]"

Two players who have really stepped up this year are the captains of the baseball team, junior Henry Schoenfeld, and sophomore Max Hines. With only one senior on the roster, the team relies on the captains for its guidance. They have responded admirably, leading by example on the field. Schoenfeld has posted a .333 average with a home run, a double, and four RBIs. Hines batted .417 with a home run, a triple, and three RBIs. Mr. Scheiman attributes the captains’ leadership as a major reason for the team's progress.

"They have really set the tone for the year," he said. "They have set an example on the field for our young players."

Thanks to the captains' leadership and the move to the PSAL Developmental League, the team has been able to gain more confidence. The players' newfound confidence has given them a positive attitude, translating to more wins during the season.

"We probably didn't feel that we were good the previous years," he said. "Since we have more confidence, we believe that we can win any game that we play."

Scheiman feels that the team could move up in the PSAL. With another year of experience, he believes that the team even has a chance of making the playoffs.

“If we do well, maybe we can go into another division," he said. "And our confidence could even get us to be a playoff team next year."

The future of HSMSE baseball

The High School for Math, Science and Engineering Dragons baseball team’s approaching season is looking bright. With a year’s experience in the B-Division, more time to practice, and up-and-coming players, the team is expecting their first win this season since leaving the developmental stage.

HSMSE Baseball Team / HSMSE Sports

Last season didn’t go well for the baseball team at HSMSE. They had a rough time on the field stumbling through a 0-13 season. Coach David Scheiman credits that the team is now facing challenging opponents.

“It was our first season transitioning from the developmental league to the B-Division,” he said.

Now that Scheiman has implemented increased training time, he expects the team’s performance to improve.

“Hopefully just their reps, their fielding, and their natural ability [will improve]; things being second-nature to them when they’re playing baseball,” Scheiman said.

This upcoming season is going to look different on the field now, with younger faces from the freshman class. They will be filling in the positions that the seniors left open last season.

“I think they’ll have a big effect because a few of them are pitchers, and a few of our pitchers left last year,” co-captain Henry Schoenfeld said. “A lot of them play infield which is also our big problem, so that fills another big need.”

Now that the HSMSE Dragons have a bigger freshman class on the team, their future looks fortunate. They are aiming for their first B-Division win in the upcoming season; however, they still have a long way to go before they make it to the top.

Contributed by Nicholas Bohan and Muhammad Abid Hasan

HSMSE freshmen brighten the future for baseball and softball

The best way to make a name for yourself in sports is to start off strong. Many professional athletes began their careers with outstanding play that made them household names. From then on they continued to improve and help their teams win. Recent examples include Mike Trout and Justin Verlander. The High School for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering’s boys’ baseball and girls’ softball teams both have that talented young player.

Henry Schoenfeld is a freshman catcher that has added much needed experience to the team. With the loss of many veteran seniors, the Dragons had to find players quickly in time for the season. Schoenfeld played for various teams outside of school and came to the team with advanced baseball knowledge and skill. His experience might one day help the team with newer players that aren’t too familiar with baseball. He played three different positions and contributed as much as he could to the team.

“Henry tried out for catcher day one, but I had him at shortstop and third base and he did well. Pretty much wherever I put Henry, he is good as gold!” said coach David Scheiman.

Taylor Faulds, a freshman pitcher for the HSMSE girls’ softball team has the been the player they needed to help compete at a higher level. She brought much needed pitching and hitting to the team. They needed her background knowledge of the game because of the influx of inexperienced freshmen. With her passion for the game, she was able to help the other freshmen get into the game.

"She helped get the girls to practice and want to win games," said coach Crystal Downey.

With experience and skill, these two players will definitely impact the team greatly when all of the seniors graduate. As they get older, their leadership will make them even greater assets.