LA JOLLA – This year’s edition of the La Jolla Country Day baseball program falls into line with previous ones, respecting the long tradition of the team and its production of college and pro players, including MLB star Tommy Edman.
“I’m learning to play the game the right way,” says freshman Brandon Hirsch, surrounded by teammates who are vocal, enthusiastic, and eager to play video games together at lunch in the team room.
“It’s fun,” says Hirsch. “I didn’t know any of these guys before.”
The Torreys started the Coastal Conference schedule well, winning two of three against Maranatha Christian in the first week of league. Schools play a trio of games against the same opponent in one week, and they do that throughout the conference schedule.
Says sophomore closer Matthew Onaitis, “We’ll have our starter (his brother Jamie) go several innings, then I relieve.”
LJCD plans to share pitching duties among multiple pitchers through league against Bishop’s, Classical Academy, and Santa Fe Christian.
The same next-man-up attitude permeates the roster; utilityman Rocco Taccone: “Last game I started at third base, then I caught one inning.” The junior also plays the outfield and pinch-runs.
Riley Davis-Reagan joins a current trend of athletic catchers who can run the bases well. “I bat second and have driven in several runs. I think I run well because I was an infielder before,” says the sophomore.
The Torreys got home runs from Mitch Circuit (a great name for a home-run hitter), Sebastian Rock, and Davis-Reagan at the start of conference play.
Elias Hanley went a strong five innings for LJCD, giving up no runs in a win over Maranatha Christian at home April 16. The Torreys won that game, 10-0.
“A lot of us play multiple sports, because it’s a small school,” says Taccone. “Riley and Rocco play football in the fall, as safeties and receivers. Matt was the sixth man much of the recent season in basketball. Riley plays basketball and ice hockey.”
“We’re one of the few schools (only school?) that plays hockey,” says Davis-Reagan.
What do the Torrey players do for bonding, besides video games at lunch while they munch? “We go to the beach almost every week,” says Rocco. “Windansea or another one. What do we do? Spike ball.”
Onaitis adds, “Hackey-sack. What do we eat? Burritos from the local Mexican place.”
“It’s a privilege to play here,” says Taccone, with the history of the program. “A college prep school, the facilities, the coaches. The coaches played here.”
They name, besides head coach John Edman, assistants Pierce Wright (infield), Jake Gross (pitching), and Ron Hudgins (hitting/infield/first base coach.)
“We definitely emphasize academics,” several chime in. “Our captain last year was salutatorian. Our captain this year is valedictorian.”
That’s with just over 100 students per graduating class.
Edman, leading the program for so long, also teaches a math class that feeds into a business/finance pathway.
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