Troy Barrett, senior outfielder and left-handed pitcher for CHS, wasted no time making an impact in the season opener. The Trojans swung to a 25-0 victory over the Griffith Panthers, and Barrett was at the center of the action both on the mound and in the batter’s box.
“It was good,” Barrett said of the game. “Scoring 25 runs for the first game was really exciting. The bats were going, the defense was solid, and the pitchers threw strikes.” On the mound, Barrett delivered two scoreless innings, keeping his focus simple: “Keep it going,” he said.
At the plate, Barrett reached base in all four of his appearances, including two doubles, his new career high. “They threw over the middle of the plate, and I capitalized,” he said. “I was just trying to hit a good pitch. If they didn’t throw anything, I let them go.”
Barrett says the win sets the tone for the rest of the season. “A win that large definitely gets the guys going and builds confidence,” he said. “Our energy and chemistry is better than last year, and that can help us win games. Hopefully we can keep it going for the rest of the season.” He pointed to the first inning, where the team batted around the order, as a moment where everything clicked.
Preparation played a big role in Barrett’s performance. Coming off elbow surgery, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to pitch. “It was a big win for me being able to pitch and for the team,” he said. Recovery work with his therapist, combined with strong spring break practices, helped get him ready.
Barrett also keeps perspective on the bigger picture. “Don’t take every win for granted,” he said. “Keep working. Last year we went 15-13, so every win matters.” His personal goals this season are ambitious: win state, make all-state, all-DAC, and first-team all-area. He’s also focusing on rebuilding his pitching arm and fine-tuning his batting.
Leadership, for Barrett, means keeping everyone accountable. “You’ve got to make sure everyone is working hard, putting in the effort, recovering well,” he said. “The coaches help with mechanics, but we all have to work together.”
And when it came time to celebrate his career day? Barrett and his teammates headed to Culver’s. Off the field, motivation comes from a personal place: “For my friend who passed away freshman year, I want to be a better person and always try my best for him.”
The game was a team effort. Senior Rob Czarniecki hit a homerun at his first at-bat and fellow seniors Ethan Glassman and Eli McClelland also had big days; Glassman homered twice, McClelland once.
If Barrett could sum up the game in one word, it’s simple: “Domination.” With that kind of energy and focus, Chesterton’s season is off to a powerful start.
Find the boys season schedule here.
