Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger The Eisenhower baseball team begins its postseason this afternoon. In the first row, from the left, are assistant coach Derrick Jensen and head coach Clint Corse. In the back row are seniors Teagan Gray, Dillon Benson, Owen Trumbull, Jared Beers, Zach Rohlin and Zane Alexander.

The Eisenhower Knights baseball program has come a long way in two seasons.

Three years ago there was a lot of talk and deliberation by the Warren County School District on whether or not there was enough interest in continuing the program, but due to the vocal input of this year’s senior players and a grass-roots campaign of parents and the local Eisenhower community. the program was saved, and with 23 players on this year’s team, it appears solid for the foreseeable future.

From where the program and a lot of these guys were two years ago, it speaks volumes as to the character of this baseball team,” Eisenhower head coach Clint Corse said.

The 2021 edition of the Knights baseball team produced a solid season with enough wins — they finished the regular season 9-7 — to capture the No. 4 seed in the District10 playoffs and will open up play at 4 p.m. today on the campus of Slippery Rock University against the West Middlesex Big Red.

The Knights are led by a core group of seniors who have paced them throughout the season. They are led by first baseman Jared Beers, who hit a blistering .463 and added 16 RBIs to lead the team.

Other 12th-graders include: multi-talented Teagan Gray, who has played third base, catcher and pitcher, batted .354 and driven in 18 runs; leadoff hitter, center fielder and catcher Zane Alexander, who has hit .353 and added 16 walks and 12 stolen bases; pitcher/shortstop/outfielder Owen Trumbull, who has hit .305 and driven in 13 runs; Zach Rohlin, who was limited by injury, but still hit .289 to go along with 13 RBIs; and Dillon Benson, who is coming into today’s game with the hot hand, hitting two doubles in his last two games.

Some of the underclassmen who have contributed on a steady basis are sophomores Cole Kellog, Cole Chapman, Kael Hunt, Garrett Jensen, Cam Jakubzak and Conner Younger.

“The young guys have stepped up when needed and really done a nice job for us,” Corse said. “These guys are a selfless bunch.”

The pitching has been a strength for the Knights all season. On the hill today will be Trumbull, who sports a very stingy 1.60 earned run average and a 4-2 record along with 42 strikeouts. In the bullpen for the Knights are Teagan Gray (4-0, 4.62 ERA, 31 strikeouts) and the sophomore Cole Chapman (1.66 ERA).

The last time Eisenhower met West Middlesex was during the 2015 season. The Knights won that district playoff game, 9-0, on their way to the state championship game.

The Big Red bring a 9-8 record into today’s game and are led offensively by Hunter Hoffman’s .360 batting average and 11 RBI’s. Right behind him is Derrick Zappa’s 356 average and 13 RBI’s. Leading the pitching staff for the Big Red is Garrett Donaldson’s 3-1 record and 1.66 ERA. In the bullpen is Richie Preston with a 2-3 record and a 2.51 ERA.

“They are very similar to us. They have some great pitching and solid hitting,” Corse said. “It has the potential to be a great baseball game.”

The Knights will need the younger players to continue to step up today and the seniors just need to continue to do what got them to this point.

“You know, we have had a great season, the kids are still having fun and that’s the beauty of this team,” Corse said. “With so many young players, they keep it loose. We’ve earned the right to be here and have had two great days of practice. The kids are ready and in rhythm.”