Stewart Johnson
DPS_Baseball
Having been around high school baseball for many years, Larry Vucan has developed a sixth sense when it comes to team talent and mentality. This year, the longtime Carroll coach sees familiar glimmers of brilliance reminiscent of teams from the past. What remains to be seen is whether this year’s team can overcome its relative inexperience and continue moving towards postseason greatness of its own.
However, before any postseason run can start, the Dragons (17-10 overall, 5-3 in district) must handle several District 4-6A opponents who are stocked with veteran-laden rosters that are creating a bottleneck for teams vying for playoff berths with just four games remaining.
“I think this is a special group,” says Vucan, who has coached Carroll teams to three Class 6A state titles, most recently in 2022. “I've always said, ‘I think they can be state champions this year, or we can miss the playoffs.’ It's just putting it together.”
Although Carroll took its lumps early in the season playing high-level competition with many young and new-to-varsity athletes, the Dragons have made strides and found some consistency, especially on the mound. Junior pitchers Ethan Baiotto (4-3, 0.81 ERA, 47 strikeouts), a right-hander, and Jack Fuller (4-2, 1.66 ERA, 27 Ks), a lefty, have both led the pitching staff and each hurled no-hitters this season.
Offensively, Carroll struggled early when trying to capitalize with runners on base. The team’s average with runners in scoring position was a meager .143 until renewed efforts at the plate helped it rise to nearly .300.
Cody Cashon, the Dragons’ catcher and senior leader, provided an offensive spark leading the team in average (.351) and RBI (15) late in district play. Senior outfielder Grant Moore (.347, team-leading 25 hits), junior Evan Robson (.327, 12 RBI), and junior shortstop Davis Perkins (.313, 13 RBI) also helped put runs on the board.
“We need to continue to get them on, get them over and get them in,” Vucan says. “A lot of that comes down to execution, mindset and maturity.”
Performing in the clutch at the plate was a big focus as Carroll entered the stretch run in third place. Ahead of them, Keller Fossil Ridge and Timber Creek, both 5-3, sit in first and second place respectively with the Dragons slated to play Fossil Ridge in the last two games of the regular season. Normal district contender Keller was in fourth place (6-4).
“Everybody has really good pitching this year, including Fossil Ridge,” Vucan says. “We're going to have to out-produce people. And whether we win 1-0 or we win 10-9, I don't care as long as we get the win.”
Vucan hopes the incredibly stout pre-district schedule he constructed pays dividends in finishing district strong and carrying that into the playoffs. Facing the state champs from Hawaii, California (Santa Margarita), Mississippi (Magnolia Heights) and state runners-up from Arizona (Queen Creek), the young Dragons were battle-tested.
“I would put up our schedule against anybody’s in the country,” Vucan says. “We're hoping it all comes to fruition."
As reported on May 16, 2024.