This past weekend, Chesterton baseball stepped up to the plate for the season opener. The team traveled down to Vincennes to compete in the McDonald’s Double Play Tournament. The boys played their first game against Martinsville on Friday night, losing 5-3. The boys then advanced to the Loser’s Bracket to play Vincennes Lincoln on Saturday morning, a game they won 13-5. The Trojans then played the final game of the tournament against Evansville Central and lost 7-5. On the weekend, the boys came away with a 1-2 finish.

In the first game against Martinsville, senior Ryan Donley took the mound, while also going 2-4 with two RBIs at the plate. Junior Tyler Crum came on in relief, walking six, striking out six, after pitching for three innings. Senior Josh Roof also finished the game with two hits.

In the game against Vincennes Lincoln, junior pitcher Gavin Crum pitched four innings, finishing his outing with three walks and just one earned run. Junior Nate Lambert also played an excellent game with 2 RBIs and going 3-4. G. Crum was also named player of the game. 

This season, the Trojans are led by a strong pack of seniors. Twin seniors Ryan and Trevor Donley are two of the strongest pitchers on the team, with the former playing first base as well, and the latter playing outfield. Other seniors include catcher Josh Roof and infielder Isaac King. Notably missing from this list is Chris Mullen, who will, unfortunately, be nursing an injury for the entirety of the season.

The juniors on the team are also a bunch to be reckoned with. Another set of twins, the Crum brothers (Tyler and Gavin) will also pitch for the Trojans this season. The juniors are rounded out with a strong group consisting of Sean Kasper, Ryan Higgins, Lambert, and George Rone. Kasper pitches and plays outfield, as does Higgins, Lambert catches and plays first base, while Rone plays the outfield. 

Five sophomores make the roster this season. Ryan Holder plays both outfield and infield, Jake Pacilio plays infield, Greg Guernsey plays infield, Sebastian Boswell pitches and plays outfield, and Brayden Barrett plays in the infield. 

Last but not least, Kaden Hawksworth, the lone freshman on the squad, will pitch as well as play infield this season. 

Coach Jack Campbell is entering his 51st year as head coach, an impressive career that few have matched in terms of length. 

Last season, Donley (Ryan) was named to the DAC All-Conference team after the Trojans finished 4-11 on the season. Chesterton finished 5th in the DAC behind Lake Central, La Porte, Crown Point, and Valparaiso.

This year, the Trojans will play 24 more games before the postseason. The boys will play again on April 11th, at Portage High School at 4:30. Baseball season has just begun, make sure to support the Trojans as they make their way through their schedule!