Coach Matt Richter and the Jackets march together to a fresh start in 2023 ByJonathan Snyder Spring brings the promise of new beginnings. Familiar rhythms resound throughout Yellow Jacket Field . Crack. Pop. Whoosh . Crunch . All these sounds signal the start of something new. Winter's white and gray dullness gives way to spring's vibrant greens and browns. It is a time when anything feels possible. While Cedarville's baseball team retains eight seniors, significant changes abound behind the scenes . Head coach Matt Richter takes the reins, replacing previous coach Mike Manes. Richter comes into the team with 20 years of assistant coaching experience between California and Ohio, but only one year as a high school head coach . Coaching at Cedarville is Richter's first experience as a head coach at the collegiate level. "We just assumed Manes was going to be back," said Alan Perry, a senior infielder. "And then after our last game, he told us, and it was a shock to everyone." Throughout the summer, the Yellow Jackets had early conversations with Richter about his expectations for the squad. In mid-June, the team and Richter talked on a zoom call for about 30 minutes. Throughout the call, the team saw Richter 's passion for growing the Yellow Jackets as people and as baseball players. "He told us he's not a 'rah rah' guy, but we could tell straight from the first call that he's passionate about baseball," Perry said . Through the fall, the team started to acclimate to Richter's coaching style. Over time, Richter felt that the team got comfortable with his personality. "I would say the guys were probably a little timid in the fall. Not timid in terms of the effort they gave, but timid in terms of showing their personality around me," Richter said . Throughout the preseason, the Jackets focused on returning to the game's simpler parts. Defensive work, bunting practice and running speed are all critical points of emphasis for Richter. "Ultimately, that's what he wants us to do, make the game as easy as possible," Perry said . Richter is also open with his team, constantly looking to bond with them and help the team grow. Jensen Wagoner, a freshman pitcher, met with Richter early in the fall and he helped Wagoner acclimate to life as a student-athlete. "I settled into the team about three weeks into the school year," Wagoner said. "Coach Richter helped a lot with 1ooK ovv ko.d (,,.()(J..,e./, pos;l,on MfkentiofUJu.~n 0-A-v /YJ;Ke. /110..,,es ~ h, ml.A+-k w" SUMon w;+/.. 0, Ire.sit penpu-five. 0,,7,,/. GJ;.Lhife. Mov11J forwO,rtt/. 51-o-rhd frJ worK w;+/.. fk h/µw dwi'TJ prese.Mon, Jdfi'TJ b<J-G.K frJ fk bMiC-S of bMe.b/Ul M:1.-.s M~ (,,.()(J..,e./, M fk ~/Me u.ve.l. for UJ+ 7e.o.-rs w;+/.. I JUM of L!tfViU?U M /.{JI,. SGN;(){ ko..d (,,.()(J..,e./, Coach Matt Richter on the fi eld . that, just texting me, and I would stop in and have conversations about classes." Optimism spread throughout the roster as the season began at Lincoln Memorial University on February 3rd . The Jackets sprinted to a 4-0 lead in the first four innings. Then it started to fall apart. The Jackets gave up seven runs in the 4th inning . The runs piled up inning after inning . Four, then six, then eight. "Is that the worst head coaching debut in the history of college baseball?" Richter wondered to himself. The scoreboard conveyed a horrific sight. 25-5. That kind of loss could have easily led to distrust amongst the team . How could Richter open a new era of baseball like that? "We have to find a way to build from this," Perry said, reacting to the loss. "Yeah, last week happened . Now we have to find a way to adjust." The next series against Saginaw Valley State shook off any early season jitters, with the Jackets 30 CED.RS Graphi c by Ze b Hal l Photog ra ph by Loga n Howa rd Spring 2023
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=