NEWARK – Kane Stephey’s voice can be heard all over the baseball diamond, but Newark Catholic is happy to have their standout senior back to being more than simply a vocal leader.
Stephey is serving as the designated hitter for the Green Wave less than a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. With the exception of a couple pinch-running appearances, he was relegated to the dugout during NC’s postseason run to the Division VII state final last June.
“[Being vocal] is just the kid in me,” said Stephey. “My whole life has been baseball, so being able to take a step back, I realized it was just a game.”
He recorded three hits and two runs March 31 in a 13-3 victory against Granville Christian in NC’s home opener.
Stephey also had a three-hit game March 28 in the 11-1 season-opening victory at Danville in his first extended action since last May 8.
He had a big impact on the Green Wave down the stretch as a freshman and had been an important piece as a shortstop and pitcher until his operation.
“That’s just who [Stephey] is,” NC senior pitcher John Eiginger said. “He is never one to hang his head. Seeing something like that really brings everyone together. If he’s going through that and he’s still there every day giving his best, who are we to not give our best?”
Stephey and All-Ohio pitcher Owen Przymierski, who delivered four hits and four RBIs, against GCA (0-2) head a seven-member senior class that includes a few players looking to make their mark. Eiginger and Andy Gossett, who combined to allow two hits against the Lions, are seeking to fill spots on the mound.
Eiginger had a rough start in the first inning, in part because of two errors for NC, as GCA took an early 2-0 lead. He, however, allowed just one more run over the next three innings.
“It feels good to know the coaches have that trust in you,” Eiginger said. “A big part of it is trusting the defense, trusting every guy out there and trusting the pitchers in the dugout who, if I have a bad night, they will be right there to pick me up.”
Senior Kylen Eskins earned the start at second base. Classmates Cole Smith, scoring a run in as a pinch-runner, and Henry Hitchens, taking over late in right field, both contributed off the bench.
“Andy got some time last year playing first when [Przymierski] pitches, but for some of them, it’s new to them,” NC coach Ron Graves said. “These guys all seem to like each other. It’s a pretty close-knit team.”
GCA hoped to see where it stood against a high-caliber opponent. The Lions return a deep pitching staff that could make them a contender in the Division VI district tournament and includes seniors Josh Benvie and Aiden Geiger as well as junior Aidan Rhoads. Benvie started against the Green Wave.
“We are trying to build a program here where we are respected,” GCA coach Roger Sprankle said. “There is a culture at GCA where losing is acceptable. We’re really striving to get that out of there. If it has to come by getting our butts kicked by a team like this, I am OK with it. We want to be a team in the postseason playing for district championships, and we aren’t going to get there without playing these guys.”
NC was able to wait back on the off-speed offerings from the left-handed Benvie. NC had four hits to the opposite field in a five-run second inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Przymierski and a two-run single from junior Chris Garber.
Junior Kyler Dales added two hits and an RBI, and classmate Max Moore scored four runs for NC.
While the Green Wave have welcomed back Stephey to the lineup, they are missing junior Jaxon Holman, who is out after shoulder surgery.
“On this field, getting something out and over [to left field] any day is hard,” Graves said. “We work every day on going backside and moving runners. That’s the best way to do it for us. Everybody is buying in, and it’s working for us.”
Rhoads reached base three times. He, Benvie and junior Josiah Green, who doubled, each scored for GCA. The Lions committed four errors, battling high winds on a couple of short fly balls.
“We have struggled in the past with our hitting, so now it’s shoring up our defense,” Sprankle said. “We really moved the ball [offensively]. I am happy with two strikeouts. That was a good offensive performance for us, but we have some work to do.”
Stephey is not quite past the injury bug and is still healing. He might be able to play second base late in the season, but for now, he is grateful to be supporting the Green Wave with more than his voice.
“It’s the greatest feeling in the world. Not being able to play sucked, but there is nothing I would rather do than be with these guys,” Stephey said. “Being on the field is even better. It means the world to me.”
ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com
740-973-4541
Instagram: @newarkurt
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark Catholic baseball seniors keep energy high
Reporting by Kurt Snyder, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
