With eight games left remaining for the Joliet Junior College men’s baseball team, they are hoping to end the season on a high note. The Wolves are 19-28 as of April 27.
After suffering their second consecutive loss at Kankakee Community College, the team understands the necessity of moving on. Catcher Max Miller emphasized the significance of focusing on the future rather than dwelling on the past.
“It’s very important to turn the page right now and not let at-bats, injuries, or losses hang over our heads because we can’t change the past,” Miller said. “We can only change what’s in front of us, and it’s really important that we remember that.”
With the short amount of time remaining left in the season and a postseason run is still the plan for the Wolves, it is now or never to make that happen. Despite the team’s current record, they believe that a successful run is still possible.
“What gives us confidence that a run is still possible is that first and foremost we lead the region right now… Number two, which is confidence, is that honestly we’re a great hitting team,” Miller said. “I think we can hit our way to a lot of wins, and we’ve beaten a lot of high-ranking teams over the season, so I have a ton of confidence in the family.”
The argument of playing to a team’s standard versus getting the win by any means necessary is one that can define how a team views the game. For the Wolves and Miller, winning is essential, but it is equally important to play the game the right way.
“I think playing good baseball and stacking wins go hand-in-hand late in the season,” Miller said. “Winning games is vital because we want to host our regional, so we need to rack up as many points as possible, but in order to do that, we need to play good baseball, so it goes hand in hand.”
These last eight games for the Wolves can show the team who they believe they are. With a difficult game against South Suburban College on the schedule and matchups versus well-rounded schools, the necessity to end the season strong for home-field advantage is key.
“These last eight games are very important because they’re going to decide number one, how mentally and attitude-wise we’re going to go to the playoffs, and number two, are we going to host [a playoff game] or not,” Miller said.
The Wolves end their regular season on May 3 at home against Waubonsee Community College before the post season.
