It’s that time of the year for the Mount Carmel baseball team to take the field as they look to right the ship after a loss in the state championship game last June. The team lost 12 seniors from last year’s team, but will return 12 others as this year’s seniors.  Coach Brian Hurry believes that could be a difference maker for his team.

Hurry noted that the leadership and chemistry of the 12 seniors can help the team return to the promised land, after coming so close last season. He will rely on those seniors to lead the six rostered underclassmen. “Everyone needs to push and pull in the same direction.”

The Caravan has become a household name around the state of Illinois after reaching the state championship game both in 2012-2013 (winning the title) and 2014-15. That bar has been raised by Hurry, and it is a bar that the coach believes his guys can reach again.

Though “state” is the goal for which the Caravan will always aim, leading the Chicago Catholic League Blue is the more immediate goal on the minds of all the players and coaches. Last year was the first time since 2005 that the Caravan won the CCL Blue outright (Chicago Catholic League.com)

When asked if he had a favorite opponent, Hurry quickly noted that “The game of baseball is the opponent. We compete against the game everyday, but winning the CCL Blue is a great feeling.”

AJ Lewis, ’16, seconded that assertion by Hurry. “The team must respect the game no matter who the team is. Every game has its challenges.

Lewis also noted if the team wants to get back to state and win, it won’t be with just talent alone. “It is hard to buy into Hurry’s philosophy, but the guys are starting to get into it now.”

Every team needs a leader and Lewis hopes to become that leader for the team, as well as improving his overall game to make everyone else a better player around him.

Lewis will be playing at Missouri next year.