After their doubleheader sweep over Prairie State College on Monday evening, the Panthers are in rare company.
They surpassed the 30-win plateau with the calendar turning to May. However, it put them as the third-ever squad in Panther program history to notch 30-plus victories, joining the 1990 (30-13) and 2011 (35-20) clubs.
They will have an opportunity to set the record for most program victories if they can finish their season strong. They are five away from setting that school record. Earning victories in the Region IV Tournament is where they will have a shot at competing for Nationals in Oklahoma.
"We really haven't thought about 30+ win seasons or program records, as our main goal has been winning the region. But I'm sure when all is said and done, we will look back and realize that this season was a turning point for this program and hopefully, only the beginning of future success. I think any accomplishments or accolades that come are a testament to this outstanding group of players and their determination to win," head coach Chris Wido said.
The team effort has been a blessing to watch throughout the season and while the offense has been making headlines, all facets of their game have made their mark.
This lineup is loaded with stars, but one of their heavy hitters in the lineup has been Alex Brodie. Brodie has been on a terror this season behind the backstop. The Panther catcher has been a middle-of-the-order problem for opposing pitchers that have driven in a team-high 44 RBI entering May.
Brodie has flexed on the opposition hitting nearly .400 with an on-base percentage of .432 and a slugging percentage of .617.
"Brodie has done a great job all year with the bat. I could not be more proud of him,'' stated head coach Chris Wido.
After building a three-game winning streak at the end of April, the offense really piled it on against Rockford University and Highland Community College.
"This was a return to form for us. We got back to our offensive identity. Scored early and kept scoring throughout the game. Great to see,'' Wido said on the offensive production.
We saw it during their sweep against Prairie State, where several players can go off. Schroeder went bonkers and collected seven hits with four runs scored.
The middle infield has caught the attention of most opposing teams and their success is what has helped the Panthers when adversity has challenged them.
"It's been really special watching Tommy Schroeder and David Burch this season. Defensively those two have great chemistry and offensively they do a tremendous job of working counts and setting the table,'' Wido stated.
Burch and Schroeder have been among the top three on the team in plate appearances and at-bats, plus the ability to put the ball in play has been vital. Even defending and helping out the pitcher is something the tandem has continued to improve upon. Coach Wido wants his pitchers to keep their confidence and understand inducing contact in the infield will lead to plenty of success.
First baseman Julio Trevino enjoys being an on-base king, especially since it allows his teammates behind him in the order to drive him home. Diego Da Rin and Trevino had one of the better moments in their sweeping of Moraine Valley on April 12.
Trailing by three runs in the bottom of the seventh, we saw Julio Trevino clear the bases with a three-run double to tie the game. Diego Da Rin then finished it with a game-winning, walk-off RBI single.
The play doesn't care who it is made by, rather the winning teams find ways to overcome adversity and struggles during the course of a 40-plus game season.
There are over half a dozen scheduled games ahead left in the season. Games have been moving around left and right with the weather not always cooperating, but this has given them time to set up their pitching and stay fresh.
The team understands there is more to it than just getting to 30 victories. They are ready to finish strong and finish in the top 8 of the Region IV Standings. The top 8 will advance to Region IV Tournament play starting on May 13. The eventual winner will earn a spot in Oklahoma for Nationals (May 28-June 3, 4).
"I think the high level of competition throughout from top to bottom speaks to the tremendous coaches in our region. It keeps you sharp knowing you have to constantly get better and continue learning, recruiting, and trying to find an edge, otherwise you will get left behind. Whoever comes out of our region on top will put themselves in a great position to win the World Series because they will be battle-tested all season long," Wido said.
While there will be at least a few teams to crack the Top 25 that will be appearing in the Region IV Tournament, only one can go. The team hasn't played with fear and has taken on all challengers with excitement and with the ability to claw back in any games that they may fall behind or struggle to pull away.
"Region IV is extremely competitive, there's going to be a couple of quality programs left out of the playoffs due to the format. We need to be playing our best baseball down the stretch if we want to secure a spot because it will be a dogfight all the way until the end," Wido said.
The Panthers have a great shot to set that program record for victories, but they also will take their hacks and have their chances to accomplish all that lies ahead of them.
As always, stay tuned to our social media pages @McAthletics1924 and @MCPBaseball for all the latest thrilling news, notes, interviews, and updates on Panther baseball.
