Panthers ready to play

Tuesday afternoon the York College baseball team did the same thing they do every afternoon they are in town. They met at Levitt Stadium for practice. The difference between today’s practice and every other one of the season is that this could be their last one of the season. That is unless they get hot in the regional tournament.
Last year the Panthers went to the first regional tournament in school history. This year, they’re headed back. After practice on Tuesday afternoon the team ate dinner and loaded the bus on their way to Hutchinson, Kan. for the Region IV Tournament.
Head assistant coach Brian Walth said the team has a different mind set this year than last.
“The team is going into the regional with a different attitude this year than last year. I guess it isn’t as new to us. This year we weren’t as upset about losing in the conference tournament because we knew we made it to regionals, and that’s what matters,” Walth said.
York had a rough conference tournament last weekend where they ran into the conference juggernaut Bellevue University two times, losing both games by 10 or more runs. Bellevue is on a hot streak right now, winning 28 of their last 30 games and allowing four or less runs in 14 of their last 15 games. Their offense has also been hot, scoring 10 or more runs in 11 of their last 12 games. With a conference championship under their belt and a 45-12 record, they enter the regional as the No. 1 seed. The first time York could run into the Bruins again would be in the third round.
According to starting center fielder John Richards, who was recently named the All-Conference center fielder and All-Conference gold glove winner, everything happens for a reason.
“I think our four losses to Ozarks happened for a reason, that was so we knew how to beat them in conference,” Richards explained. “So I think the two big losses to Bellevue also happened for a reason, so we know how to beat them in the regional tournament.”
York’s first round game is against a Kansas Wesleyan team who recently won the KCAC (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) conference tournament title. The Panthers and the Coyotes didn’t meet in the regular season this year, but they did face many common opponents. Against five common teams, Friends University, Ottawa University, Dana College, Hastings College and Central Christian the Panthers were 9-4 and the Coyotes were 8-2. Against Friends University, the No. 4 seed in the Region IV tournament, York was 2-2 while KWU was 3-1.
One lesson the Panthers have learned over the season is dedication. It’s something head coach Nick Harlan talks about a lot, but now the players are talking about it too.
“I’ve just got to come out ready to play every game,” starting shortstop Dylan Connolly said when asked what it will take to do well in the regional tournament. “At this point in the season you have to leave it on the field every game because you don’t get a second chance.”
The tourney begins today at 11 a.m. today when Bellevue faces off with No. 6 seed Bethany College. York and KWU meet at 2:30 p.m. in game two followed by No. 3 Park University and No. 4 Friends at 6 p.m. It will follow a double elimination format and will run through Saturday.
York enters the week with a 33-22 season record.