Masters Varsity Baseball has been dominant on the field all spring, earning them their first winning season in years. After a 1-9 season last year, they finished this campaign with a record of 8-3. The Panthers came into this year with a new mentality and team culture, largely due to the help of head coach Chuck Gutierrez. Gutierrez is new to Masters this year and had previously coached at All Hallows High School in the Bronx, and has been a decorated and highly touted coach for both his time working in high school and for his travel team. 

Sophomore center fielder Zach Gotthelf spoke on Gutierrez’s impact this year saying, “This season was a big change on the whole team with Coach Chuck. Compared to last season, I felt that Coach Chuck brought with him the idea of winning games and doing all things with a purpose. Overall, I saw everything come together as the season played out. The whole team worked hard and got better.”

Though Gutierrez has played a massive role in the team’s success, that is not the only thing that should be credited with the team’s successful spring. The intensity and mentality brought to the table by every member of the team is the most striking difference between this year’s team and teams in previous years. 

Senior Captain and starting pitcher Henry Hubner, spoke about the difference in the team’s success this year from years prior. 

He said, “In my experience this year the team trusted each other more, and was more dedicated to executing what our coaches implemented in practice than in years past. Also – on a personal level – this year my stats matched how I felt I performed, so I ended my high school career on that positive note.” Hubner has been with the program through its ups and downs for the last four years of his high school career and as he heads off to play at Bard College he hopes to bring what he learned from his experience here to help him at the next level.