Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Adrianna Armani
As the Westhampton baseball team prepares to take the field for another season, anticipation is running high. Following an intense offseason of training, head coach Asa Grunenwald shares insights on the team’s progress, goals for the upcoming season, and the standout players expected to make an impact. With a renewed focus on teamwork and performance, Westhampton looks poised for a strong run this year.
The Westhampton High School baseball team encountered several challenges last season, particularly regarding their hitting. Over the offseason, they have concentrated on improving their swings and overall approach. When reflecting on last season, coach about the team’s biggest challenges and how they addressed them during the off-season. He responded, “That’s a good question. Last year, we played a lot of close games. We ended with a record of five wins and fifteen losses, but we experienced six one-run losses. Our main issue was getting the timely hit that could push us over the edge. We pitched well and played solid defense, so it all came down to securing those key hits. We worked hard this off-season to enhance our swings and approach, and I believe we are in a good position to hit better this year.”
I discussed with the coach the key takeaways from last season. After evaluating everything, I asked if there were any specific areas he felt we needed to focus on moving forward. He replied, “Well, I think one positive takeaway is that when you throw strikes and play good defense, you’re competitive in a lot of games. That has been evident for us. While we didn’t have overpowering pitchers or high strikeout rates, we had several players last year who consistently threw strikes and competed well on the mound. This allowed us to be in many close games.”
With a core group of returning athletes, the team has focused on refining their skills, increasing their physicality, and strengthening their overall game.
“Last year, we started a handful of sophomores, so one of the biggest improvements we’ve seen is our overall strength and physicality as a team,” the coach explained. “Just from age and maturity alone, we’re seeing a difference this season, and that’s something really promising to look forward to.”
In addition to the natural development of his players, this upcoming season is important to Westhampton as they look to beat their rivals. The offseason has been an opportunity for the team to fine-tune their training methods and strategy. Adjustments in workouts, conditioning, and in-game tactics have played a crucial role in preparing Westhampton for what they hope will be a successful season.
With 12 returning players, the Westhampton baseball team enters the upcoming season with a seasoned roster and high expectations. Coach emphasized the team’s depth and experience, noting the unique presence of several third-year varsity players.
“We have a strong group of returners, including four juniors who have been with us since their freshman year and six more who joined as sophomores,” the coach explained. “Having that level of experience isn’t always common, and it’s something that will definitely benefit us this season.” With a stronger, more experienced lineup, the team is looking to capitalize on last year’s foundation and turn it into results on the field. As the season approaches, all eyes will be on how these offseason improvements translate into performance when Westhampton takes the field once again.
Senior Liam Anthony returns for his third year on varsity and is expected to be a key leader for Westhampton this season. An All-League talent, Anthony will be a major presence at the top of the lineup. He had 11 hits and 11 stolen bases last season.
The team will also lean on a strong junior class, including shortstop and starting pitcher Pat Fay, who enters his third year as the team’s primary shortstop. Third baseman Cooper Daniels, another returning starter, brings stability to the infield. On the mound, Jacob Permakoff will be a crucial arm in the rotation, alongside Lucas Hefter, who also adds valuable experience and had a 2.50 ERA last year. Junior Jude Allen, who contributed both as a pitcher and hitter last season, is recovering from an injury but is expected to play a key role at the plate. He batted .316 last season and compiled a 2.03 ERA.
With a mix of veteran leadership and offseason improvements, Westhampton looks to build on last year’s progress and turn its experience into success on the field.
The Hurricanes will open their season against Harborfields on April 2.
