As the 2016 baseball season begins, varsity baseball has set its goal for the season: a 3-peat in conference. Tryouts were held at the end of February, bringing back some MSL back-to-back champions.

Junior Joe Lopez is “looking forward to trying to win our third straight conference championship and a state playoff run.”

As the season progresses, senior Jack McEnroe is “looking forward to growing as a team and creating memories.”

McEnroe and Camacho tell us that the team gets along on and off the field, creating lifelong friendships between the players.

“There is a good relationship between the juniors and seniors this year,” McEnroe said. McEnroe will be attending University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh this fall, rooming with senior Jon Maday.

“I’m excited to compete at the next level as well as grow as a player and a person,” McEnroe said.

Maday chose Oshkosh because “when I went on my recruiting visit I was impressed with what the coach had to say. The facilities they have are also top of the line so that also influenced me.” Maday cannot wait to “take the next step in my athletic career and compete at the collegiate level.”

Another returning player, senior Chuck Fleming, says, “I love playing with guys that actually take the game seriously.”

Fleming will continue his baseball career at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale this fall.

“I chose SIU because the school fits me, and the coaches were very helpful,” Fleming said.

Senior Christian Camacho is also looking forward to conference games and playoffs.

After being offered a baseball scholarship from Auburn, Camacho committed to the university back in November.

“I’ve always wanted to play baseball down south, and it felt like the perfect fit,” Camacho said. He is also looking forward to “playing in the best conference in the country, the SEC,” as well as “playing against some of the best collegiate players.”

Senior AJ Lorenz is looking forward to “the team coming together to make a run in the playoffs.” Lorenz committed to Carroll University in February. Lorenz chose Carroll because “It fit my major, and I get to play baseball there.”

As the seniors’ last baseball season as a Grenadier comes to an end, Lopez will miss “just being friends with them and having their leadership on the team.”