St. Laurence sophomore outfielder Jacob Hite is pretty honest about how his varsity debut has gone this spring.
It took a second to find his footing as he adjusted to a new role with the Vikings.
But once he settled in, watch out.
Helping St. Laurence complete a 14-0 run to the Catholic League Blue title, Hite scored three runs and knocked in two with two hits in the Vikings’ tense 10-7 road win over Brother Rice on May 12.
“It was a hard start to the season,” Hite said. “As I got more experience through 10 games, I started picking it up. Now, it’s going really well.”
Seniors Sean Popp (two RBIs, two hits) and Cory Les (two doubles, two runs, RBI) led the way offensively. Seniors Danny Donovan and Mickey Lotus and junior Ryan Lotus added a run and RBI each.
Closing out the win in relief, seniors Luke Arroyo and Carter Mosher got some big outs over the final two innings.
St. Laurence, which ended the week at 30-1 and on a 27-game winning streak, last won the CCL Blue in 2024. The Vikings had already clinched the title the day before with an 11-4 home win but sealed up its perfect Blue record with the series sweep.
“It was (still) one of our biggest games of the year,” Hite said. “Winning this one was big for the CCL, for our record and for the whole team.”
Hite is the only sophomore on the varsity roster.
He typically starts when the opponent throws a left-handed pitcher, while junior Evan Panther starts against right-handers.
Mix in an occasional pinch-hit opportunity, and he’s worked hard to settle into the role.
“When we went down to Florida and played IMG Academy, getting a big hit was huge,” Hite said. “Then I got my first home run (against Leo). That was when it really clicked. I started playing well from there.”
Donovan said Hite has been a big add to the varsity.
“Jacob has been awesome handling the role,” Donovan said. “When he gets in there, he hits. He’s a great kid and has that mentality that he’ll go up there and no one is better than him. That’s huge to see in a sophomore.”
Coach Pete Lotus said Hite has handled a unique role well all spring.
“First, Jacob has a ton of physical ability,” Lotus said. “Right there with anyone on our team. The hard part is, Evan does equally as well. You feel bad sitting one of them. Credit to Jacob. He stuck with it and is using all of this experience to keep getting better.”
St. Laurence fell behind 5-0 in the first but rallied with a seven-spot in the second, including Hite’s two-run triple.
“First pitch fastball,” Hite said of the triple. “I thought I could put a good swing on it and I delivered.”
Juniors Gavin Stanislawski (grand slam) and Brady Cunningham (two-run homer, two hits, two runs, hit by pitch, intentional walk) led Brother Rice, which was 22-10 heading into the last week of the regular season.
Cunningham’s homer was his 13th of the season, setting a single-season mark for the program. Mike Schalasky, a 2015 grad, held the previous record with 12.
Stanislawski’s bomb to center put the Crusaders up 5-0 in the first.
With the playoffs around the corner, he said the team isn’t panicking about a two-game sweep to a rival.
“Trust the process and keep grinding,” Stanislawski said. “Put one day after another and keep moving. You’ve got to keep going no matter how a game goes.”