“I believe we will have a great season,” says baseball head coach Rod Stephan. “Our team will improve on offense as well as defense. We have better hitting and pitching and will even improve on our speed. I feel that we will break the school record for stolen bases even after breaking the record last year, which was 186. We ended our 2011 season with 206 stolen bases shattering the old record while also leading the NCAA as well. The biggest attribute this year may be our depth. This year we recruited a team we believe has all the parts that are needed to win.”
Being the captain of the Panthers’ baseball team last season as well as being named captain for this upcoming season, I am able to say that this year is going to prove how good this team really is. With the additions made by the great recruiting of the coaching staff, it seems as if they found the missing pieces to make the team possibly the best Old Westbury has yet to see. This is Rod Stephan’s second year as head coach and it is very obvious how well he is adapting to the position. “Last year being my first season as head coach of the team I was able to learn more about discipline and managing the game. I will continue to grow as a coach and will stride to exceed our goals.”
Even though Coach Stephan is an aggressive, competitive coach, he still makes sure that his team be recognized for how well they conduct themselves on and off the field: “I expect our players and coaches to respect the game at all times and to show sportsmanship to all including each other. I always lead by example and expect my coaches and captain to do the same. I expect my team to always give 150% at all times while also having fun so they are able to enjoy the ride.”
With last year’s season ending in a loss in the championship game, Coach Stephan is looking forward to show how well this year’s team can play. He’s making sure that the team uses last year as fuel to improve their game as well as giving the team a very reachable goal of winning the Skyline Championship.
He adds:”I believe we do have the team to win the Skyline Championship and then move on and continue to play well in the Regional’s. We have improved over last years team that won 24 games and really expect big things for the team, to break yet another school record. I really feel the team is capable of breaking the record for most wins in a season, which is 27. I expect this team to exceed all of our expectations.”
Come out and support your Old Westbury Panther’s baseball team and see exactly what all the hype is about. The team has their first game on February 25th at Frostburgh State. Their home opener is on Friday, March 2nd against Ithaca College.