New coach brings new approach to pitching-rich Gateway baseball team

By: Ted Sarneso
Sunday, March 17, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Last season did not end the way Gateway baseball expected.

After starting hot with a 4-1 record, the Gators lost nine straight before splitting their last six games. They finished 7-13 overall and 3-9 in Section 1-5A and missed the playoffs.

The 2024 season starts a new chapter as Luke Padezan takes over in his first season as a head coach after Mark Wardzinski stepped down at the end of last season.

“It’s been a lot in a short amount of time, but I’m excited and ready to get started and so are the kids,” said Padezan.

He previously was a volunteer assistant at Elizabeth Forward, his alma mater, and spent the last two years as Central Catholic’s pitching coach.

“I learned a lot from Frank Champ of Elizabeth Forward and John Rende from Central Catholic,” said Padezan. “They were just very positive role models and influences in the lives of the kids, and I don’t think I could have asked for a better couple of guys to learn from.”

Padezan brings with him a new system and approach to the game.

“Our system is about playing the game one pitch at a time, being able to win that pitch and just being present. That’s what we’re looking to reinforce at practice and games,” Padezan elaborated.

Padezan also has the Gators embracing an “us against everyone” mentality.

“I don’t know how much anybody believes in us, but we believe in ourselves and we’re going to use that as motivation,” he said.

There’s plenty to believe in for Gateway baseball, and it starts with their pitching depth.

“Pitching is going to be our strong suit. I’m confident each of our eight guys can go out and give us innings,” said Padezan.

Seniors Noah Colberg, Ahmad Harris, Elliot Sterner and North Carolina A&T commit Taili Thompson headline the pitching group and are in the midst of learning the new “one pitch at a time” approach.

“As a former pitching coach, it’s very comforting and I’m very lucky to have them,” said Padezan. “Those guys are going to eat a ton of innings as the season progresses.”

One new addition to the pitching staff is freshman Jon Saunders, who Padezan said will “make an impact for us both on the mound, where he’ll eat innings, and in the field.”

Thompson, Harris, Sterner and Colberg are team captains and apart from Padezan relying on their arms on the field, he is leaning on their leadership to help guide the team during the year.

“They are great in the sense that they are an extension of the coaching staff and this group really embodies that,” Padezan said. “They’ve been great role models and leaders for the younger guys.”

With the pitching set, the main focus will be getting the Gators offense to be more consistent in scoring runs.

In five of their wins last year, Gateway scored more than six runs. They scored five runs or fewer in all but two of their losses.

Padezan brings a fresh take to the offense in hopes of manufacturing more runs.

“I don’t think we’re going to be the most powerful team,” said Padezan. “We want to be aggressive with our at-bats and more importantly on the basepaths.”

Thompson and Harris will be joined by sophomore catcher Grady Dunsmore to provide some pop in the lineup, while junior Myles Beavin is a player Padezan is expecting to make an impact.

The Gators will need to make impacts across the diamond if they want to be successful in what looks like another tough year in Section 1-5A.

“Every game’s a challenge,” said Padezan. “Teams swinging at each other all year long. I had that same experience in 6A where every game was a dogfight, and it will be the same here.”

To make it through so many tough games, Padezan wants his team to only focus on one game at a time and not look past the game they’re playing.

“The main thing is to play the game that’s in front of you,” he said. “Don’t play Tuesday’s game on Monday. One pitch at a time, do everything for the present moment.”

The Gators were scheduled to open their season at home March 15 against North Hills.

Their section slate begins on the road at Franklin Regional on April 2.

Tags: Gateway