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Making the jump from high school to college sports is never an easy challenge.
Throw in an equipment change prior to an athlete’s freshman season with his or her college team, and reaching previous heights is even more of a daunting task.
However, despite the change for baseball players — college teams are no longer allowed to use composite bats — former Sussex Central star Trevor Wilkins and Indian River graduate Sean Lewis have taken a lot from their first seasons at the next level.
“It’s difficult at the college level, because ever player you face is good,” Wilkins said. “I like the challenge though.”
“I’m just glad to be back out here,” added Lewis, who took a year off from sports after his high school graduation.
As far as the bats, however, neither player was fond of the change. Going from composite bats that had sweet spots that were nearly the entire barrel to ones that give you little more than a baseball-sized power area has not been an easy adjustment,
“They’re terrible, but it’s what we have to use and I think we’re getting used to them,” Lewis said.
“I still hate them,” Wilkins agreed.
One thing the duo does appreciate, Lewis even more so, about playing with the Roadrunners is the chance to suit up with former IR great Luis Barrientos.
Barrientos, who led the team in home runs his freshman campaign, is again Delaware Tech’s biggest stick this season. The team, however, has struggled to win this season, which had frustrated Barrientos some during what could be his final campaign on the diamond,
“Coming into the season, with all the guys we had coming back, I thought we’d be a lot better,” Barrientos said of a squad that was forced to dismiss some key players due to rules violations. “It’s been fun playing here though.”
Although the squad still had an outside chance at winning its region following Tuesday’s doubleheader with Morris (N.J.), both Lewis and Wilkins are looking forward to seeing what the Roadrunners can accomplish a year from now.
“We still can win the region this year and I hope we do, but next season we have a really good shot at doing it,” Wilkins said. “I’m excited about what we could [accomplish].”
Making the jump from high school to college sports is never an easy challenge.
Throw in an equipment change prior to an athlete’s freshman season with his or her college team, and reaching previous heights is even more of a daunting task.
However, despite the change for baseball players — college teams are no longer allowed to use composite bats — former Sussex Central star Trevor Wilkins and Indian River graduate Sean Lewis have taken a lot from their first seasons at the next level.
“It’s difficult at the college level, because ever player you face is good,” Wilkins said. “I like the challenge though.”
“I’m just glad to be back out here,” added Lewis, who took a year off from sports after his high school graduation.
As far as the bats, however, neither player was fond of the change. Going from composite bats that had sweet spots that were nearly the entire barrel to ones that give you little more than a baseball-sized power area has not been an easy adjustment,
“They’re terrible, but it’s what we have to use and I think we’re getting used to them,” Lewis said.
“I still hate them,” Wilkins agreed.
One thing the duo does appreciate, Lewis even more so, about playing with the Roadrunners is the chance to suit up with former IR great Luis Barrientos.
Barrientos, who led the team in home runs his freshman campaign, is again Delaware Tech’s biggest stick this season. The team, however, has struggled to win this season, which had frustrated Barrientos some during what could be his final campaign on the diamond,
“Coming into the season, with all the guys we had coming back, I thought we’d be a lot better,” Barrientos said of a squad that was forced to dismiss some key players due to rules violations. “It’s been fun playing here though.”
Although the squad still had an outside chance at winning its region following Tuesday’s doubleheader with Morris (N.J.), both Lewis and Wilkins are looking forward to seeing what the Roadrunners can accomplish a year from now.
“We still can win the region this year and I hope we do, but next season we have a really good shot at doing it,” Wilkins said. “I’m excited about what we could [accomplish].”
