By Marisa Dawson
Bennington’s varsity baseball team wrapped up a challenging three-game stretch this week, splitting results but showing clear areas for improvement as the season progresses. The Badgers dropped a lopsided decision to Gross Catholic, bounced back with a thrilling one-run victory over Hastings, and then fell again to a strong Pius X squad.
On Wednesday, Bennington hosted Gross Catholic and suffered a 10-2 loss. The visitors jumped out early and exploded for six runs in the fourth inning to pull away. Bennington managed seven hits but committed four errors, while Gross Catholic tallied seven hits and two errors.
In post-game comments, head coach Scott Heese was candid about the team’s performance. “We just have not been playing well,” he said. “We’ve made too many errors the last couple games. Our pitchers haven’t been locating their pitches like they’re capable of doing. They just haven’t been on.” He noted that when the team falls behind in counts against quality hitting teams, opponents capitalize quickly.
Coach Heese acknowledged the growing pains of a young squad. “We still have a lot of guys that haven’t played a ton of varsity innings, so we’re still trying to figure out who we are,” he explained. Limited outdoor practice time due to weather has also hampered preparation. He emphasized the need for defensive drills and positional work for players whose bats are needed in the lineup.
Bennington responded on Thursday with a 9-8 road victory over Hastings in a high-scoring affair. The Badgers collected 13 hits and committed just one error, while Hastings had seven hits and two errors. Bennington trailed early but rallied with four runs in the third, added one in the fifth, and then erupted for four more in the sixth to secure the win.
Coach Heese pointed to positive signs at the plate amid the team’s recent challenges. “Some of the guys are starting to look better at the plate. We’re starting to square up the ball a little bit better. They’re feeling more comfortable in their at-bats,” he said. However, he stressed that fielding and pitching still need attention to create a complete game.
On Friday, Bennington hosted Pius X and fell 10-1. The Thunderbolts broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the fourth and added steadily thereafter, finishing with 12 hits to Bennington’s two. Bennington committed two errors in the contest.
Coach Heese described baseball as a humbling sport and used the recent games as teaching moments. After the Gross Catholic loss, he asked his players how many agreed they needed to work to get better, and “every single kid… said, yes, absolutely.” He sees confidence in the group’s potential but knows improvement is required: “We gotta get the nose to the grindstone and put in some work.”
With only one returning starter and many players still adjusting to varsity baseball, the Badgers are in the process of building identity and chemistry. The coach remains optimistic that focused practice on defense, pitching location, and fundamentals will help the team blend its improving offense with stronger overall play.
Bennington will look to carry the offensive momentum from the Hastings game into upcoming contests while tightening up the defensive and pitching sides. As Coach Heese noted, the team knows what it’s capable of, they just need to put it all together on the field.
