Isabella Duran is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Centennial High School for AZPreps365.com. 

The Centennial boys baseball team couldn’t be more excited to step onto the diamond to feel the bat in their hands, make a double play, or hit a home run. Last year, their season was cut short after three games due to COVID-19. This season is a whole new ball game. 

In looking forward to this upcoming season, Coach Jon Williams has one main objective. “This season is really about trying to bring the kids back to baseball,” Williams said. 

This is Williams' second season as the head coach for Centennial. Last year was about finding the team’s identity of what kind of team they were going to be. This year Williams has high hopes to take it from finding out who they are to actually seeing results on the field.

After having their season cut short, the Coyotes were not able to practice as a team until the beginning of November for fall ball. Fall ball consisted of focusing on all the essentials such as weight training, intrasquad scrimmages, and throwing program. 

“But what was really important was getting the kids together and having a camaraderie and starting to build that team atmosphere,” Williams said. 

All Williams wanted was to be able to get his team to get back to playing the game they love. 

Williams shares such enthusiasm when speaking about his team’s chemistry. He references his team as a special group to be around and he will cherish this whole year with them. 

“I’ve never been around a team that just likes to be together," Williams said. "Whether we are playing baseball or hockey or tic-tac-toe, they just love to be around each other."

Having solid team chemistry gives the Coyotes an advantage over other teams. As the team has been practicing for the past few months, they have found their strengths that they believe will bring them success. 

“They are playing selfless baseball,” Williams said. “They are willing to bunt, they are willing to hit the ball the other way and sacrifice their at bat for the greater good of the team.”

This year the team is younger with a third of the team being sophomores and juniors. With having a young team, Williams notices their speed has increased allowing them to be able to play a more aggressive style on offense. Just another factor as to why Williams believes his team will make the playoffs. 

The Coyotes have a new respect for the game of baseball, Williams said. From their experience last year, the boys have the mentality of playing each game as if it is their last. 

“They have that respect that it can be taken away so they give it everything they have in the game,” Williams said. 

With respect comes those who are the leaders on and off the field. According to Williams, that is senior captain Seth Jelovic and sophomore Cristian Mogen. 

Jelovic plays in the outfield and second base, but feels most comfortable and confident at second base. He had the second highest batting average while batting at the top of the lineup. His goal for this season is to be able to make the playoffs.

Jelovic said the strength of his team is great baseball awareness, situational hitting, and knowing how to move guys over in order for them to score. 

“We’ve worked really hard this offseason. I think we’re ready to get out there and finally play against a team other than ourselves and show what we can do,” Jelovic said. 

Jelovic had the help of Mogen last year which started to create a duo that no team would see coming. 

Mogen first played with Jelovic as a freshman and now gets to continue their strong leadership. Mogen had the highest batting average last year and this season has eyes on becoming better than the last game he played.  

He is a right-handed pitcher but also plays shortstop. 

Since last year was the first year having Williams as a head coach, Mogen and the rest of the team have gotten accustomed to his coaching style. Now with it being his second year coaching, Mogen conveyed that the team is coming together as one with Williams which will contribute significantly in how they boys play this season. 

“I feel like we have a good chance to do big things here at Centennial and I am really excited to finally get to play a game,” Mogen said. 

Centennial will host Arcadia for its season opener at 3:45 p.m. Friday. 

First game jitters are always there for Williams and the players, but this year is different. 

Williams is feeling anxious for the season opener. He knows how important the game and the start of the season means to the Coyotes. Until the first pitch is thrown, Williams will not be getting much sleep. 

Jelovic has those first game butterflies but puts into perspective the importance of this game for himself being a senior and for his teammates who have missed out on a whole season. Mogen feels really anxious because of how last year ended. He will channel that energy to play the best baseball he can.