Xavier baseball still thinking big

CEDAR RAPIDS - The season may not be starting the way the team would like, but Xavier isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

As the 2016 baseball season marches on, the Saints are finding their stride.

Xavier (2-13) earned its first win of the season against Benton Community, 8-7, on June 7 and added an impressive, 10-0, win over Iowa City Regina on June 9.

'We played as a team,” said Xavier Coach Bob Cataldo about the Saints' start. 'We played with a lot of energy and a lot of heart. Baseball's a hard game, and it's a lot of failure, and a lot of adversity and the kids came back every time and kept their nose to the grind stone and played for a full seven innings or five innings as the case may be.”

Cataldo said the wins over Benton and Regina was the boost the Saints need,

'I am very confident in our abilities,” he said. 'You know it takes a while for a baseball team to gel, that's why the seasons are kind of long. But it's a process, and we're going to stick to what we do best, and we're going to stick to our approach.”

Cataldo said senior K.J. Giles is one of the players who brings the team together and keeps spirits high.

'KJ Giles is our captain spiritually, mentally, emotionally and he does a great job of staying positive, keeping the guys positive when we face adversity, which happens in baseball.” Cataldo said.

Cataldo's philosophy is having fun and being the 'best version of yourself.”

'Baseball is a fun game and it's played to be enjoyed,” he said. 'It's good to be out with your teammates and play hard, and play against good competition.”

Senior Nick Stark also is having a good season, batting .333. He has had 13 hits and has scored eight runs.

'Making things happen,” Cataldo said when asked what Stark brings to the game. 'Nick with his speed, his athleticism and his baseball ability. He gets innings started for us, he makes great plays in the outfield and he's a great leader in terms of attitude and energy.”

Stark has been asked to bring the team together many times this season.

'I think positive attitude is the main key, we have a lot of negative plays, and again keeping with the positive attitude always brings the team together,” Stark said.

Stark said the team also helps each other.

'I feel like we are very good at picking each other up,” he said. 'The season hasn't started as we would like to, but we have definitely overcome some adversity and started to rebuild the program Coach Cataldo wants us to build.”

Stark has one goal in mind - and the team has the same mind-set.

'I'd like to make it to state, of course, and would like to win the last game of the regular season, and keep working hard,” Stark said.

As the season continues, Stark has noticed the team working better together.

'I think in the beginning of the season we struggled a bit, but I think we're finding our groove,” he said. 'We are finding our footing in our infield definitely.”

The Saints aren't going anywhere but on to the next game, and they plan to excel as the season continues. Xavier host Clinton tonight at 7 in a single game.

Cataldo believes the Saints will continue to grow and get better as the season continues by sticking to what they know and believe in.

'I think by the end of the year, we're going to be a tough team to beat,” Cataldo said.