The year of firsts brings BVB first place June 7, 2002 by Justin Epner   photo by Limor Biran Freshman Gabi Weisel returns to first baseas Montrose Christian Mustangs senior Tim Dodd fields the pickoff throw at championship game on May 16.

The boys varsity baseball team became the first team in school history to win both the regular season and tournament championships, with a 4-3 victory over the Montrose Christian Mustangs on May 16.

The Lions finished the season 16-3 by clinching the regular season title with a win over the Washington Waldorf Knights on May 9. The Lions proceeded to joust the Knights out of the conference tournament six days later with a 7-1 victory in the semifinals, advancing to meet the Mustangs. The Mustangs fell prey to the Lions during the regular season, 7-6 on April 22.

In the tournament championship game, juniors Andrew Schwartz, Joel Sunshine and Elan Strait made significant contributions offensively, defensively and on the mound, respectively. Schwartz’s two-run, fifth inning double provided the winning margin, Sunshine’s outfield defense safeguarded the lead, and Strait, who had a 6-0 record this season, relieved freshman starter Gabi Weisel in the fifth inning and closed out the game to earn the victory.

Strait came on when Weisel gave up two runs and loaded the bases with none out, after throwing four scoreless innings. Strait allowed just one of the inherited runners to score, keeping the Lions in the game.

Down 3-1 going into the bottom half of the inning, the Lions pounced on Mustangs starter Matt Feiler, touching him for a run and loading the bases with just one out. Mustangs’ ace and All-PVAC pitcher Tim Dodd replaced Feiler, and proceeded to strike out the Lions All-PVAC shortstop, Elliott Stixrud, before facing Schwartz. Schwartz’s two-out hit drove in a pair, after Dodd nearly brought his team out of trouble.

In the seventh inning, the Mustangs again loaded the bases, this time with two down, as Strait hit Feiler and walked two others. Just like he had done just two innings earlier, Strait got his team out of trouble, this time with no runners crossing the plate, inducing a pop-out to Schwartz to end the game.

Many players attribute the team’s success, to first year coach Mike Remington.

“Remington is a great motivator. When we weren’t ready mentally, he helped us stay in. He said to never feel sorry for yourself and keep you head in the game,” said sophomore Michael Robinson.

“Remington instills the game into you and gets your full potential out of you…he’s a big fan of the game and fans are very emotional about the game. To be a good coach, you can’t let your emotions get to you too much. He had an equilibrium between the two,” Schwartz said.

Athletic Director Victor Littman, who hired Remington to coach the team after the departure of former Head Coach Will Gant, was surprised at the team’s success under Remington.

“We lost a good coach and we gained a good coach,” he said.

According to Littman, toughness and teamwork were some of the team’s strengths this season.

“The team had a lot of guts,” he said. “They had team chemistry, they played well together, and had a great attitude for guys who didn’t play a lot.”

The team’s six juniors also played a significant role, with centerfielder Joel Sunshine, who had never played varsity baseball before this spring, and Stixrud, earning first-team all-PVAC honors and infielder Josh Krauss and Strait named to the second team.

“The juniors pulling through really helped us this season, especially in the championship,” said Robinson.

“Krauss and Sunshine were a good one-two punch at the top of the batting order for us,” sophomore Alex Triner said.

This year’s squad became the first boys varsity baseball team in school history to win both the regular season and tournament titles. The Lions, along with the Knights, Mustangs, defending champions St. Anselms, and last year’s runner-up Field, were all tied atop the conference with just two losses apiece, entering the final week of the season. The Lions beat the Hebrew Academy Cougars and the Washington International Red Devils, before clinching the regular season title by beating the Knights.

“I told people we won a banner [before the tournament]. It was a big game against Waldorf, and we won against a good team. We were the regular season champions whether we won or lost in the tournament,” he said. With two championships under their belts, the five veteran juniors leave the team as the only players to win multiple baseball championships for the Lions. As for the returning players, many believe that they will repeat.

“We have some young talent coming up, and even though we’re losing a lot of starters, we have potential,” Triner said.

Regardless of how the team fares next season, Schwartz may have accomplished more than just winning this spring.

“I had so much fun. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It made me a better person. Remington said ‘smile more.’ If you have more fun, better things will happen. Even if you lose, you’re having fun.”