No one has gotten more playing time for the Wolfpack baseball team this season than marketing senior Lucas Wendt.
The number of games he has played this season is nearly double that of the last two seasons. He played 41 games this season, while he played 27 combined in 2010 and 2011, and 46 games during his freshman year. So far this season, Wendt has a .218 batting average with 10 RBI in 119 at bats.
Despite not being ranked in the top five of any of the hitting categories on the team, Wendt has made hits at key moments for the team this season. One of these moments was on April 14 in a road game against Southern Wesleyan University. In the top of the ninth inning with two outs and a runner on first base, Wendt continued a rally with a single helping to extend the game into extra innings, resulting in a Wolfpack win.
The strength of Wendt’s game, and where he said he has seen the most improvement, is in his fielding.
“My largest improvement over four years has been my defense ability by improving on my freshman year stats defensively,” Wendt said.
Head coach Gee Cassard acknowledged the refinement of Wendt’s defensive game, and said he has noticed the development as well. The stats back this claim by Wendt as his fielding percentage has increased from .817 percent during his freshman year to the .945 percent he has this season.
Outside of the personal improvements he has made, Wendt said he has seen the team improve as well.
“We receive several transfers and freshmen who make large contributions right away every year to reach the goal of improving the program each year,” Wendt said.
He also said that additions to the coaching staff have helped the team. With three games remaining in the season, the Wolfpack currently has an opportunity to surpass their highest win total in the last four years, 19.
Looking back on the career he has had at Loyola, Wendt said he is happy with how things have gone.
“I would not change the last four years for anything because I have gained friends for a lifetime and become close with my coaches to a point of them being a part of my family,” he said.
Etefia Umana can be reached at [email protected]
