As Davie’s baseball team considers its hopes and expectations for the season, a common theme emerges between the players: the importance of teamwork. For players like baseball junior Parker Davis, any and all successes come back to this principle.

“I just feel just mainly being able to communicate with my infielders behind me and the chemistry within the team is very important,” Davis says. Later that evening, Davis and the rest of the baseball team used these strategies to win their first game of the season 8-4 against Alexander Central High School.

The team notes that success like this would not be possible without consistent support from coaches, even when that support feels more like tough love. For junior Drew Krause, though, that tough-love approach has been essential for his growth and that of the team. In their opening scrimmage against Carson High School, Krause notes the importance of feedback from “Coach Joey.”

“Well, the first problem was literally just catching the ball, “ Krause says. “It was like I just forgot how to play. So he just kind of told me just like relax. I’ve been in these situations before.” 

Beyond this tough love, though, it’s the consistency of support that has pushed him and his teammates. 

“He’s one of those guys where he’s not gonna sit there and just call you out. But he’s also not going to be your best friend the whole time. So he’s going to help you out, but not in a way that sometimes you want. We butt heads sometimes—I think he butts heads with a couple of guys—but, eventually, it all pays off, and we all know deep down it’s all love.”

Players agreed on one thing: that they both have a bond with their team that makes them incredible players and communicators on the field. The team believes their energy and determination will push them to prevail this season.