The Judge baseball program for the past few years has not been the most exemplary program at this school, but, that is subject to change.

Back in the 2020-2021 season, they won 20 games and were one of the best teams in the state. That year the team was led by star players Luke Borgemier, Alex Zang, and Henry Frech. Frech and Zang boasted impressive on base percentages of 0.564 and 0.527, which menas they get on a base more than 50% of the time. Luke Borgemier was also the team’s best pitcher, with an ERA of 2.32, which is estimated runs allowed when pitching.

This team was almost unstoppable, but after this year, the program hasn’t had that success. Throughout the 2022-2024 seasons, the Baseball Dogs had a combined for eight total wins, and last year not even making the state tournament. But that is all changing this spring, where as of April 17 they already have seven total wins, with around half the season left to play. And the players they have are certainly providing a boost to that, with one of the star players on the team, Dom Fassio, currently has an on base percentage of 0.586, so actually better than anyone during the incredible 2021 season. 

The fellas at the diamond are feeling confident this year, and could definitely make a run in this years state tourney. But the focus of this article is next year, when Judge will be playing teams of much higher caliber than Providence Hall and Summit Academy. Judge will be in a region with schools like East, Cottonwood, and Highland. 

It is safe to say that the players are nervous about this step up. I interviewed team pitcher Miles Augustine, and he had some not-so-positive comments about next year: “I think Judge baseball is definitely gonna struggle a little bit next year, but I think it’ll be good because it will make us a better team.” It’s safe to say that they aren’t feeling too optimistic about the move to 4A next year. 

This year, the Bulldogs have had tough competition, most recently they played Timpview, currently a 5A school, and lost 10-0, but numerous players said that the game should’ve been much closer.

Next year is goning to be interesting, it will be tough for baseball players to adapt to the new style of play and skil level of 4A, but some of the players, like Augustine, think it will make them a better team so they can improve in the next few seasons.