Work in Progress: Alma baseball off to 8-8 start – The Morning Sun

Its about getting ready, prepping to peak when it matters most.

Till then its all about getting ready.

Over the course of the last five seasons the Alma baseball team has done a phenomenal job of peaking at the right time as evidenced by its four-straight Division 2 district titles.

Moreover, in nearly every instance, the Panthers werent exactly favorites to make a postseason run, rather they were upset-minded underdogs who did exactly that.

James Traynor

Sun Photos by JAMES TRAYNOR

One year ago the Panthers entered the postseason with a record of 11-14 and promptly disposed of 30-win Fremont to claim a district title. From there they fell in regionals.

So whats the story this season? Are the Panthers primed to make another run or are they rebuilding or are they somewhere in between?

Were a work in progress, said long-time Alma baseball coach Denny Kreiner following Tuesdays split with Saginaw Swan Valley. Were learning the game, teaching baseball and trying to find our footing.

Historically speaking the Panthers have consistently produced some of the best pitching prospects in mid-Michigan for decades now as Kreiner is a brilliant pitching coach. As the son of legendary CMU head baseball coach Dean Kreiner one Denny Kreiner learned the art of pitching from a young age and the Panthers have benefitted ever since.

That includes 2022 too.

With Western Michigan University recruit DJ Thompson settling in as the staff ace and numerous other arms contributing significantly the Panthers have a rock-solid staff in 2022, per usual.

Yet, if theres an area of concern, it would come on the offensive end as Alma has struggled to score runs consistently which has led to an 8-8 record thus far.

Our pitching has been pretty good, theyve been nails, Kreiner added. Our offense has struggled to put up runs and put the ball in play. Im trying to find two line-ups that will get us through districts.

Kreiners concern played out front-and-center Tuesday during Almas home twinbill versus Saginaw Swan Valley.

Tied at 1-1 through seven innings the Panthers had legitimate chances to win the game in the eighth and ninth frames. In the eighth they had runners on second and third with no out and didnt score as a squeeze bunt went awry. The runner was tagged out and after a strike out the rally was over.

The same thing happened in the bottom of the ninth. Had it not been for a three-run rally in the 10th the Panthers would have lost a game they should have won.

Thus, with the pitching in order, Kreiners main concern going forward is getting his offense in order.

Were working on the fundamentals and teaching more this season, said Kreiner.

Within the confines of the conference Alma will be hard-pressed to make a run at the title as it sports a 5-5 record. Yet, once the postseason rolls around, its a safe bet that Kreiner and company will be ready because they always are.

Read the original here:

Work in Progress: Alma baseball off to 8-8 start - The Morning Sun