BACKGROUND

The Lakes varsity baseball team is an experienced group with a lot of chemistry, past success, and a high standard for the 2026 season. The team contains seven seniors playing at the next level, providing the team with tremendous talent and a mindset to win. Other juniors like Aidan Hack (top left), Petey Ney (bottom left), Ryan Stolarick (top right), and Hunter Bergdahl (bottom right) have also stepped up in a big way, contributing to their success early on this season. The senior class of 2026 has uplifted the standard throughout their time at Lakes and look to carry that on to underclassmen that will eventually compete at a varsity level. 

CULTURE

The class of 2026 for baseball has clearly changed the trajectory of the program by their culture and the way they approach each and every single game. They have 17 seniors that have all played with each other for the past four years and some have even played with each other before high school. This group of guys is different, because of their success.

“It goes back to the culture and how we’ve had 15, 16, 17 contributors in every game that we’ve played this year because guys are pulling for each other,” Coach Hill said.

Everyone on the squad believes in each other and wants the absolute best for their teammates.

By the team pulling for each other, it displays Mudita, a term that was introduced early on in the season and is something the Eagles will carry out throughout the season. Mudita means to have vicarious joy in others success and the team has emphasized that this year, celebrating others success like it’s their own.

SUCCESS

This talented group of seniors have put in the hours and time contributing to their success.

“We’ll rely on the seniors to carry on the culture that we’ve established and that they’ve bought into, you know, that goes with hard work, that goes with showing up to the weight room,” Hill said.

This hard work and dedication has transferred to results on the scoreboard, as the seniors look to close in on 100 wins as a group this spring. Although the hard work and dedication matter greatly, none of this would be possible without the relationships and chemistry between players. Three year varsity player Ethan Jablonski understands the dedication that these seniors bring to this team.

“I feel like as a group, we’ve only gotten closer together, and we’ve kind of learned to love each other like brothers playing together for the last four years,” Jablonski said.

Another three year varsity player Carson Norris, emphasizes how important it is to be behind teammates. “Be together, and enjoy their time and work hard for each other to win games,” Norris said.

The boys show fierce competitiveness down the stretch each year, currently having an 9-1 conference record (as of May 5) against some tough opponents like Grayslake Central, Antioch, Wauconda, and Grant. They also have seven athletes competing at the next level. The team is loaded with talent and will go toe-to-toe with any opponent.