PHOENIX — The Bourgade Catholic High School boys varsity baseball team enters the 2024-2025 season with renewed optimism. After a challenging season last year, where the team struggled with leadership and consistency, the Golden Eagles are determined to turn things around.
Head coach Noah Mayers, now in his third season, has seen significant improvements in his team’s fundamentals and overall chemistry. “This offseason, we’ve been practicing about three days a week for the last nine months, playing 40-plus games,” Mayers said.
With a roster of 16 players, including five seniors, expectations are high. Mayers believes that senior leadership will be key to the team’s success this season. “We’ve made a lot of progress. A lot better than last year. We’ve built strong team chemistry, and our fundamentals are solid,” Mayers said.
Senior outfielder Rolando Palencia, entering his fourth season with the team, is confident in the Golden Eagles’ potential. “We’ve been playing baseball all year round,” Palencia said. “It’s helped me and the team a lot during the summer and fall. We played doubleheaders constantly, so it’s conditioned us and made us more athletic.”
Mayers singled out Palencia as one of the players to watch this season. Other standouts include Alexander Guzak, Tyson Trujillo, Oscar Garcia, Eli Salas, and Tyler Preach.
Guzak, a versatile utility player, brings energy to both the infield and outfield, capable of hitting for power or finding gaps, while making plays all over the field. Palencia, a vocal leader, ensures focus both on the field and in the dugout, contributing with consistent play and guiding his teammates. Freshman Garcia, expected to make a significant impact, will battle in the middle of the lineup with high expectations. Senior Preach, a key leader, provides the team's character and vocal presence, with hopes that his leadership and untapped potential will elevate the team.
Looking ahead to the season, the Golden Eagles are aiming for a playoff berth. Palencia is confident they can achieve that goal. “Definitely make the playoffs,” he said. “That’s what we’re striving for this season, especially with five seniors. I feel like we have the team chemistry and athleticism to do that.”
Mayers also believes the team can reach the postseason. “If we can get to double-digit wins or close to it, that’s a big win for us, and we should be able to squeeze into the playoffs,” he said.
The team’s biggest challenge, according to Mayers, will be consistency in all aspects of the game. “Last season, we averaged more than four errors a game. In the offseason, we’ve cut that to about 1.5 through 40 games. It’s much better than before, and we’re getting to the point where we can just be consistent on defense,” he said.
The schedule also includes matchups against top-ranked teams, including three that were among the best in the state last year. “The last week of March, we’ve got three teams that were top-four in the division,” Mayers said. “Just seeing how we compete with them and if we can put runs on the board will be a good indicator of where we are.”
Despite the challenges, Palencia is confident in the team’s ability to have a winning season. “Definitely a winning season, hopefully,” he said. “I know we can do it as a team, especially with our coaches.”
Bourgade Catholic begins the season on Wednesday, February 26 at the Cougar Classic Baseball Tournament hosted by Phoenix Christian.
The Golden Eagles will open up the regular season at home on March 3 against St. John Paul II. First pitch is at 3:45 p.m.
