Lancers mix of experience and talent brings balance to Raymond
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Lucas Domonousky
Breeze-Courier Sports Editor
RAYMOND — After the past couple ‘different’ than normal seasons and an experienced and passionate Head baseball Coach at the helm the Lincoln Wood Lancer baseball team is ready for Spring 2022.
Josh Stone has been coaching at LHS for 14 years this year. Starting in 2008 as an assistant coach it didn’t take long for him to get a taste of success. The Lancers won the State Championship the following year in 2009 and then Stone was named Head Coach in 2012.
“I became a coach because I have played the game my entire life and love it.” Said Stone
He went back and forth when Morrisonville and Lincolnwood became co-op and now sits as Head Coach of the Lancers baseball team.
Seniors are a big focus for the team as well as mixing in the young talent in between.
“This year’s team has a great mix of senior leadership and young talent.” commented Stone “The seniors have been hurt by COVID over the past few years but have kept up with summer baseball and will have a big impact on this team.”
The Freshman class won their respected Regional last year at the 8th grade level. They will add a few players due to the amount of summer baseball they play and their defensive versatility.”
The team has seen significant loss over the past year including two coaches and 6 players to graduation and 2 from injury. This adversity has only heightened their play and determination for success. Returning to the team is John Wolf, Will Jenkins and Braden Whalen. The three will be looked to for guidance as Team Captains along with Colton Tischkau and Ruger Brown.
The younger talent consists of Lance Weitekamp, Jonah Elvidge, Drew Gilpin, Gabe Armentrout, Caden Bethard, Jared Klein who will bring their energy filled gloves and bats to the lineup.
They will be playing all across Illinois with a big focus going to a trip to Bloomington to play a game at the Corn Crib. The Lancers Head Coach closes with a statement of optimism.
“Really looking forward to getting back to a normal baseball season and leading the Lancers once again.”
