SEATTLE-After a promising start last season, the O’Dea baseball team saw its playoff hopes slip away in the final stretch, ultimately falling short of a state tournament appearance. This year, the team is focused on redemption.
“Missing state last year was hard on all of us, and we don’t want to feel that way again,” said senior Jordan Holloway. “We went through it once and are going to give full effort and focus in practice this year.”
The Irish started last season on fire, stacking up early wins and looking like a serious postseason contender. However, a combination of inconsistent play and key mistakes down the stretch led to an abrupt exit before state. The team has taken those lessons to heart.
“Us seniors have talked to the new kids about how we have to lock in this year because everyone is now doubting us from last season,” said Holloway “We know what we are capable of, and we will work to accomplish the big goal.”
The Irish know that proving people wrong starts with consistent effort in practice and game situations. With a mix of returning talent and fresh faces, the team is determined to show that last season’s late struggles won’t define them.
Key Statistics
O’Dea missed the playoffs with a 17-5 record. The Irish led Metro with a 1.08 ERA and were second in batting average with .295.
The top returners and only players with varsity experience are seniors Davon Abaga, Quincey Brown, Briggs Ellis, Jordan Holloway, and Rocco Stefonick. They will have a big void to fill to lead the team as the Irish graduated 8 senior's last season.
Overcoming Early Injuries
While the Irish are determined to bounce back, they’ve already been hit with adversity before the season even starts. A handful of key players are dealing with injuries, forcing the team to adjust.
“One injury that has affected the team this year was me having a partial tear in my UCL,” said senior Brown. “This has been a big adjustment for the team with me not being able to pitch all season.”
The loss of a key arm in the rotation is a tough blow, but O’Dea is finding ways to adapt. Another player facing an early setback is senior Ellis.
“Another injury is Briggs (Ellis) had a fracture in his finger,” said Brown. “But he will be back soon to help impact the team.”
Despite these setbacks, the team remains confident in its ability to compete at a high level.
Analysis
As the season approaches, the Irish are determined to flip the script from last year. With a renewed focus and a chip on their shoulder, O’Dea baseball is ready to make a statement.
The Irish start the season with a gauntlet of a schedule. The journey begins for the Irish Tuesday, March 18th at Tahoma High School. The next day the Irish play North Creek, and right after that a preseason top 10 team in the nation, Puyallup. They play Lakeside twice in 2 days who will be one of the top teams in the state, and after that they play the reigning 3A state champions West Seattle.
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