Last year, the Kits devastatingly lost in the sectional championship for the second year in a row. During the game, GBN showed excellent defense and held the explosive Kits offense to just one run.
“It was very disappointing, especially since we beat them twice during the regular season. We also stranded a bunch of runners on base,” said junior Aaron Shalin.
The Spartans ended a remarkable season for the Kits. The Kits finished 26-8-1 and 13-4 in the CSL. Within the conference, the Kits were unstoppable, and their dominant play was enough to secure them second place, right behind New Trier. Evanston was consistent throughout the season, showing teams that their elite hitting and pitching combination posed a serious threat to the league.
During Evanston’s playoff run, the Kits had to face New Trier. The Kits had already lost to the juggernaut Trevians (33-4) twice during the season, and they also ended Evanston’s spectacular season in 2022. The Kits were out for vengeance—and they showed it. They pounded the best team in the conference 6-1. Clutch hits by seniors Vinnie Miller and Braden Grimm blew the game open.
“It always feels great to beat your rivals in such a big game. It was a great atmosphere with so many Evanston fans,” reflected Shalin.
In the offseason, the team lost a lot of talent, particularly on the mound, with star pitchers Eron Vega and Braden Grimm both graduating. With all the lost talent, the team is going to have to rely on younger guys in big spots this season.
“We have a younger group, or should I say, an inexperienced group on the mound. We are hoping to get some standouts and some people to step up on the mound because that’s where you set the tone and become a team that can go deep into the playoffs,” stated Head Coach Frank Consiglio.
Coming into this year without last year’s seniors, the team is going to look different in more ways than just the bullpen. However, they are adamant that they are not “rebuilding,” but rather reloading.
“We have a lot of talent on our roster, though we have to go out and get the job done on the field. We are a very close group and have spent a lot of time together this offseason,” said Shalin. “We are all very motivated for the upcoming season. We had a very senior-heavy team last year, so everyone on the team needs to be ready to step up into a new role this season.”
It’s been a long wait for Evanston baseball to return, but the time has finally come. After months of preparation, the Kits are eager to showcase the hard work they put in during the offseason. Their first test comes on Monday, March 17th, when they face off against Hersey.
“The team’s goal is to win and compete at a high level,” said Consiglio. “We have to be able to be locked in when we get to championship time.”
