Notice: Trying to get property 'post_title' of non-object in /home/ofzfvenynm4q/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wp-rss-feed-to-post/includes/wprss-ftp-display.php on line 109
When he finishes his final season this spring for Marist, Cal Sefcik knows it will be the end of an era.
Kevin Sefcik, Cal’s dad and the RedHawks’ head coach, has spent most of the past two decades guiding Cal and his older brothers, Zach and Luke.
“I don’t know what he’s going to do next year,” Cal Sefcik said of his father. “I think he’s been coaching his kids since my oldest brother was 9 and he’s 25 now. It’s going to be different, for sure.
“This year, I feel like there’s no pressure for me. I’m just trying to do as much as I can and enjoy it. I’m trying to really have fun this last season at Marist.”
Cal Sefcik, a senior infielder/pitcher and an Indiana recruit, has been red-hot at the plate despite cold weather through the first few weeks of the season.
He’s hitting .522 with 13 runs, five doubles, two home runs and 12 RBIs in eight games for Marist (5-3).
“I feel like I’m seeing the ball really good,” he said. “I’m having a little bit too many strikeouts right now, but I feel like when I’m hitting the ball, I’m doing a lot more damage than last year. I have more extra-base hits than singles.”
As a pitcher, Sefcik (2-0) has a 1.40 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 10 innings.
In Sunday’s 9-8 win over Homewood-Flossmoor, Sefcik started on the mound and pitched the first inning before feeling some discomfort in his right throwing arm while warming up for the second.
That ended his day pitching, but he stayed in the game as the designated hitter, producing a big RBI single and scoring two runs.
“I really wanted to pitch in that game, so I was disappointed,” Sefcik said. “Hitting was kind of the only thing I could help them with, so I tried to do what I do every time when I’m hitting and just hit the ball hard.”
Sefcik has had plenty of baseball mentors in his family, including both his older brothers. Zach played at North Central College and Luke plays at Central Michigan.
“I’ve learned from them,” he said. “Luke has gotten a lot better over the years, and I was always working with him when he was here. I talk to those guys all the time about baseball.
“We keep it fun, keep it loose and just go play.”
Kevin Sefcik, meanwhile, is trying to soak in every moment of Cal’s senior season.
“I’ve had a long run with these three guys,” he said of his sons. “I’m just trying to enjoy every game we have.”
Moore hits: A painful at-bat had senior outfielder Joshua Moore questioning his approach at the plate for H-F.
“In the Oswego East game, I got jammed really bad and hurt my hand,” Moore said. “I wanted to find a way to regain that confidence, especially on the inside pitch.
“I started working on the tee and the machine.”
Moore saw it pay off with two doubles Sunday in a 9-8 loss to Marist.
Daily Southtown
Twice-weekly
News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday
“I got an inside pitch and just hammered it,” he said. “I felt all that confidence come back.”
Moore is hitting .467 with nine runs and 12 RBIs for the Vikings (6-2). He hit his first career home run March 16 against Simeon.
Sweet Home Alabama: Oak Forest (5-0) won all four of its games on a spring break trip to Alabama, taking the Gulf Shore Classic title by outscoring opponents 27-0.
Ryan Heitz and Grant Fletcher combined for a perfect game in an 11-0 win over Pinson Valley, Alabama.
Bengals coach Ron Czarnecki Jr. said the team’s depth is making it better.
“We’ve had a ton of competition for a lot of spots,” Czarnecki said. “They’re healthy battles that are helping to define a good team.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
