Starting off the season, Danny Donovan was batting leadoff for a deep St. Laurence lineup.
But after some early struggles, Donovan moved down to the middle of the order. Any nerves or pressure he was feeling up top, they were gone.
Helping St. Laurence to a 19-2 victory in four innings over host St. Rita on May 5, the senior centerfielder reached base four times and scored four runs with a RBI.
“I’m just playing more loose and more confident like I should have from the start,” Donovan said. “I was a little tense up at the one-spot. I let stuff get to my head a little too much. When I got moved down, coach Pete (Lotus) said to play like yourself with confidence. That’s been my attitude ever since.”
Donovan had a triple, single and two walks for St. Laurence, which finished the week 28-1 overall and 12-0 in the Catholic League Blue.
Seniors Mickey Lotus (three RBIs), Cory Les (three runs) and Orlando Vazquez (three RBIs) and juniors Tristan Steger (three-run homer), Evan Panther (two runs), Ryan Lotus (two RBIs, two runs) and David Campbell (two-run homer) powered a big day offensively for the Vikings.
Senior John Strzechowski earned the complete-game win, giving up two runs on nine hits and no walks with two strikeouts.
Donovan, a Wisconsin-Parkside recruit, battled in the nine-spot as a junior on the Class 3A state championship team.
He was a key part of the lineup, turning things over to the top of the order as he hit .354 with 31 runs and 30 RBIs.
In the leadoff spot this year, Donovan was just a little off at the plate.
“Some stuff went wrong,” Donovan said. “I wasn’t swinging like I am now and how I should have been. When I got moved down and Mickey got moved up, it’s been awesome since obviously.”
Lotus moved him to the six-spot in early April, but he made it clear it wasn’t a demotion.
“Leadoff was wearing on him a little,” Lotus said. “When we made the switch, we made sure he knew how valuable he is and how good a hitter he is. Danny can do it all. Run, hit for power, extra bases, it freed him up mentally. He’s been crazy good for us.”
As part of St. Laurence’s 12-run third inning, Donovan had a RBI single and a walk and scored two runs with a stolen base.
Even with the team dealing with some key injuries this spring, the lineup continues to jell from top to bottom.
“(That mindset) is day one when you get here, to grind at-bats,” Donovan said. “You grow and grow and it sticks with you. You trust everyone in front of you and behind you in the lineup.”
Pete Lotus said he’s been impressed with how Donovan has found his hitting groove.
“I bet his average at six compared to one is probably 300 points higher,” Lotus said with a laugh. “After we made the switch, he hit grand slams in consecutive games. He had three hits in another game. He can hit anywhere in the lineup.”
Donovan said the lineup’s depth can easily rattle opposing pitchers.
“We stick to what we’ve been taught and what we work on in practice every day,” Donovan said. “One to nine, it’s the best lineup I’ve ever seen a team have. Everyone can hit. Even our pinch hitters can hit.”
Senior Colin Quinn (two hits, RBI) and juniors Jayden Hawkins (two hits, run) and Ryan Jones (two singles) led St. Rita.