'No one is settling': Defending state champ Oakmont baseball still has something to prove
The back-to-back Div. 3 baseball state champs are amped up.
With loud music playing throughout practice in the old gym of Oakmont Regional, baseballs pinging off bats as the lyrics of country music blast over the speakers, the Oakmont baseball team is locking in.
It's the first week of the 2025 spring season. They have fun, but they get to work -- a balance that leads to success.
Even though it is early in the season, the Spartans look like a well-oiled machine already. A crowd of sometimes 30 athletes showed up weekly to hit since October to prepare for the season.
These athletes eat, sleep and breathe baseball.
Senior captain Levi Hessel described it as an "obsession" with trying to get back to the championship.
"This team's got so much heart and grit because we know we can get back there with hard work," Hessel said.
With two state titles to their name, the team is not feeling any sort of pressure going into the season. Rather, they are purely excited to be doing the thing they love.
Defining a new season
Captains Hessel, Jake O'Day and Johnny Losordo had a big impact on the past two seasons and now get to lead as the seasoned veterans.
The returners understand the culture and are excited to pass that down to the eager newcomers who will be getting opportunities on the field.
Along with Hessel, O'Day and Losordo as returning contributors are shortstop J.J. Walker and catcher Will Gage.
"The cool thing about this team is no one is settling for anything," head coach Tim Caouette said. "We have guys that want to perform, and they've been waiting their turn for two years to get on the field in some cases so they're willing to put in the extra work and prove to everybody that they can play."
Juniors Aidan Haley and Jack Palubeckis are two of these players who are stepping up and looking to fill some of the roles left by last year's seniors.
Consistent culture
Oakmont's depth and talent is thanks to Caouette's commitment to the culture. The youth program has strong participation and the support from the school community has been key in creating a winning program.
Caouette and his squad have been hosting a youth camp twice a week over the past month, with huge turnout of 30-40 kids.
"Even the younger guys see what it takes to get to this level," O'Day said.
Caouette also credits his coaching staff for the team's continued success. Next to him in the dugout are Greg Picucci, R. Lincoln Stiles and Justin Nussey, all of whom have helped Caouette develop the culture with the players year after year.
The words that resonated with Caouette to describe his team are "energy" and "attitude."
From the offseason work, music at practice and becoming a family, the Spartans' energy and attitude led to their back-to-back titles. But to them, it's just what they love to do. Everyone is on the same page as they have fun working hard and finding ways to get better every day.
"We've just been having fun and enjoying the process and the experience," Hessel said.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Oakmont Regional baseball team's 2025 season preview
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