Buffalo Grove baseball coach Tim Miller observed a new characteristic in his team Saturday as it beat Niles West 7-5 after clawing back from a 3-0 first-inning deficit.
“We’ve overcome before, but normally we let them back in the game and then don’t respond,” Miller said. “This was the first time we overcame some adversity early in the game and kept [adding] on to the lead to finish it.”
It’s early in a new season for the Bison, who are 3-5. But in the beginning stages, Miller is noticing growth.
“We started making plays in the field,” Miller said. “I think early we weren’t helping our pitcher out.”
Pitcher Adam Apel stayed calm under pressure and pitched all seven innings, allowing nine hits, five earned runs and two strikeouts.
“It was great because everyone is so close,” Apel said. “Everyone has confidence that someone’s going to get the out or the hit.”
Part of the growth, Miller said, is that he has a team that isn’t necessarily reliant upon one or two stars. Miller and the Bison have had to find solutions as a team, such as abandoning their preferred run-and-bunt strategy when trailing.
Miller has been trying to help the team’s chemistry grow throughout this year. In March, Buffalo Grove traveled to Tampa to get games in and to bond as a team. Apel said the experience was beneficial, noting the team hashed out some in-house issues. Buffalo Grove went 2-3 during five days in Florida.
“We’ve gotten pretty close since we’ve come together at the beginning of the season,” senior outfielder Justin Hasek said. “Florida was fun because it allowed us to get outside and play in great weather. I know a lot of teams here [in Illinois] weren’t able to play.”
Miller said his team is far from perfect. He was adamant about not wanting to raise his voice to his group, but felt he needed to Saturday. He said his team was losing focus when Miller urged his players from third base to remember simple fundamentals.
Miller said he hopes one of his players develops a much-needed voice.
“We have to keep getting better each day. That’s the message we keep delivering each day to our kids,” Miller said. “I think we’re still searching for our vocal leader. I don’t know if we have him yet. We have some guys in spurts that step forward and are vocal.
“But I think as a whole, we’re kind of sitting back and relying on the coaching staff a little bit too much. I’m hoping as the season progresses, they take the lead.”
Paras is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.