MARLBORO — It was an exercise in lowered expectations for Austin Jorgensen. Playing for the basketball team, there was an unwavering belief that even a state championship was within their reach, given the winning tradition and sustained success.
And then winter would end.
“It’s a completely different environment, a different mentality,” the Our Lady of Lourdes senior said. “Baseball, we’re trying to build a little a time, and just make some progress.”
That’s a reality the athletes have accepted while attempting to revive a program that has sputtered for the better part of a decade. Several teams at the high school have excelled, winning section titles and more in recent years, but baseball has been a heavy lift.
But in that dugout is constant noise and chatter, playful cheers and frequent conversations about strategy or their approach at the plate. And even the shouts of “chowdah” and anything Boston-related as Sean Hinspeter is up to bat, the group jokingly crafting for him a make-believe Massachusetts background and accent.
“It starts there,” coach Jimmy Filingeri said of the camaraderie. “Getting things turned around starts with them being in the right frame of mind. They love each other and want to play well together, and you can see it on the field.”
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