Four seniors lead Lake in Wilker's 36th season

The Lake baseball team has just two players with varsity experience, but coach Greg Wilker says “we expect four seniors to lead us to a competitive season.”

The four seniors are shortstop Tyler Saffran, pitcher and outfielder Jaxon Delventhal, second baseman Toran Schroyer and catcher/utility player Tyler Locknane.

Two years ago, Delventhal batted .289 (13 for 45) with eight doubles, 19 RBIs, 16 runs, nine walks and three stolen bases in 23 games.

In 2019, the Flyers finished 27-1 overall and a perfect 14-0 to win a Northern Buckeye Conference title. 

The Flyers also have 10 juniors this year, but most got no or little varsity experience when varsity baseball was last played two years ago. 

“The 10 juniors have some outstanding skills but need to gain the confidence and experience as the season progresses,” Wilker said.

Overall, Wilker believes he has talent to compete for a league title again this year. 

“We have outstanding team speed, and we will play good defense,” Wilker said. “We must develop our pitching staff and make consistent contact at the plate to be successful this season. The players have been working hard to improve every day.”

Lake has won 10 league titles during Wilker’s previous 35 years coaching, including four of the last eight in the NBC. The Flyers also have six district and one regional title leading to a state final four appearance. In those three-and-a-half decades, Wilker’s teams have gone 621-345.