Seniors lead team under new coach

Entering the baseball season in his first year at New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva, Coach Drew Paukert is excited with the talent on his team, singling out three individuals as players to watch this season - Dakota Thiele, Matt Jensen and Trevor Tracy. 
All three athletes are seniors with a record of excellence on the Panthers’ baseball team. Second baseman Thiele tied for the highest hitting percentage on the team last season with a .341 average. Pitcher and shortstop Trevor Tracy served as the ace of the staff last season, leading the team in wins, ERA, strikeouts and innings pitched. Pitcher and third baseman Jensen led the team last season in RBIs, hit .302 with two homeruns and finished second in strikeouts and innings pitched. 
Thiele, though tied for first in hitting, is probably more well known for what he does after he gets on base.
“Dakota has phenomenal speed,” said Paukert. “He had three steals (last game). He stole home without really a play being made. You don’t see that often. Being as quick as he is, he’s able to get those jumps.”
“He’s a natural on the bases,” added Jensen. 
Tracy’s steady pitching has earned him respect and trust from coaches and players alike. 
“He does a lot of things to make the team better,” said Paukert. “He’s the ace on the mound - someone we really rely on.”
“The key is to limit walks,” said Tracy of his pitching, “and knowing what part of the lineup you’re pitching against. If it’s early in the lineup, you want more off-speed. Once you get toward the end, you want to make sure you’re getting those strikeouts.”
Paukert added that both Tracy and Jensen are team captains. 
“As our shortstop, (Tracy) makes sure people are where they need to be. Trevor is really our lead by example guy,” said Paukert.
Fellow captain, Jensen, is better known as the vocal leader of the team.
“I lean on him quite a bit to get after the guys,” said Paukert. “(Jensen) makes sure we’re always staying focused and staying positive at the plate.”
“Confidence is a big thing,” said Jensen. “A lot of us worry too much. When you are up at the plate, you just have to expect to get a hit. Confidence is key.”
Jensen said one way he embraces confidence and expectation is by swinging at the first strike he sees.
“I’m a big first-pitch hitter. I’m not letting that first strike go by, because I might not get it again.”
According to Paukert, the team also relies on Jensen for his hitting percentage and power at the plate. 
At third base Jensen plays next to Tracy. 
“Having both captains in the infield is nice. They can communicate where people need to be during specific situations.”
In their senior year, the three are pleased with the outlook on the season and the new look of the Paukert’s team. 
“It’s just a lot better feeling this year,” said Jensen. “We’ve got a new coach - someone that can back us up and give us positive feedback. I feel like we’re a much more solid team, and we’re taking it a bit more seriously than in previous years.”
Players added that Paukert is not shy to give instruction and keep practices and games serious. Though taking it more seriously, the seniors said the entire team is having fun and looking forward to conference rivalries and more wins than last year.
“I’m liking the way we’re coming together,” agreed Paukert. “We’re taking practice a lot more seriously and focusing on hitting a ton. In the last few years we struggled with getting runs across the board. Hopefully that is picking up here.”
Paukert added that besides Thiele, Jensen and Tracy, the team has three additional seniors, including Dempsey Tucker, a pitcher out last season with a broken arm. 
“I’m excited,” said Paukert. “It’s going to be a competitive Gopher Conference this year, but the way we’re looking, the way we’re wanting to look, and the way we’re working, I think we’ll be right in the mix of things.”
The Panthers began the season with a 5-4 win against Faribault Academies. After two straight postponed games, the Panthers were scheduled to play at home on Monday, April 13, against Waterville-Elysian-Morristown at 5 p.m. They will play at home again on Thursday, April 16, against Maple River at 5 p.m.