By Tom Rohrer
When the national sports media temporarily turned their heads to the south end of Thurston County, the Rochester High School baseball team continued business as usual.
Dylan Fosnachts 194 pitch performance in the Warriors 1-0 victory over La Center drew the attention of famed media outlets such as ESPN and Deadspin.com among others.
The senior hurler/infielder received acclaim for his work-horse like performance while head coach Jerry Striegel drew some criticism for leaving Fosnachts in the game.
Such attention, both positive and negative, could distract a high school team, particularly one in the midst of a competitive playoff chase.
The Warriors roster, however, remained far from distracted, and would even flourish in the days and weeks following the memorable win.
Less than a month later, Rochester finds itself in the semi-finals of the 1A State Tournament. Although the team would lose to Naches Valley on Friday night, Striegel remains impressed at his team’s mental fortitude regarding the media attention and their approach to the game.
“I was a little concerned when it started to break out, but Dylan has really flourished and you wouldn’t see anything different today than a few weeks ago,” said Striegel, the Rochester Athletic Director. “The kids have lightheartedly taken it in stride. It’s been something we’ve had good fun with. Plus our season hasn’t gotten in the way.”
Rochester, it turns out, got in the way of opposing team’s seasons, particularly at the end of the season. Striegel regards the beginning of the campaign as an opportunity for players to establish roles and learn how to win as a team.
“I think it’s clicked here at the end that’s something we try and build every year,” he said. “Early on, we’re concerned about wins and losses but the majority of the focus is on roles. Sometimes that means we lose a game, but the important thing is we’re clicking now.”
In 2013, the Warriors season ended with a loss to Tenino 4-3 in the opening round of the state tournament. A season ending loss is always disappointing. A season ending loss to a league rival is downright motivating.
“The kids were very disappointed that they didn’t take care of things,” Striegel said. “I think it did have an impact. There was lots of discussion on what we need to do different. We’ve hit those goals so far.”
Leading the charge for Rochester is a determined and talented senior class that is carrying over winning tendencies from the gridiron to the diamond. Fosnachts was joined by Lucas Eastman, Josh Lardosn and Dakota Deal on the First Team All-Evergreen League team while standout pitcher and catcher Dustin Wilson earned league MVP honors.
In the fall, many of the same players helped lead the Rochester football team to its strongest season in years under first year head coach Eric Snelson. That strong season set the tone early on for the Rochester athletic teams.
“I know that for a fact football set the tone. The kids who were seniors, they led the (football team),” Striegel noted. “You have the same thing with baseball. There are a ton of leaders with experience who’ve been through the trenches and know what to expect.”
The main catalyst has been Wilson, the Warriors ace on the mound and leader on the field as a catcher for the rest of the staff. Wilson learned what it takes to succeed and lead as an underclassman from those who came before him.
“Dustin is a guy who started as a freshmen and just kept improving. He watched Chris Bishop (now playing at University of Puget Sound) and Josh Moss (playing at Saint Martin’s University) and how they set tone,” Striegel said. “He’s taken on that role as a senior. You hope for that from every senior, and that’s how it’s been for u the last few years.”
Players like Wilson are needed in a league as competitive as the Evergreen was this season. Four teams posted more than 15 wins, justifying the league’s standing among the best in the state. Such a gauntlet provided the Warriors high level competition throughout the season and prepared them for the district and state tournaments.
“You look at other leagues out there and you see teams where someone can breeze through. That doesn’t happen here,” said Striegel. “It makes any team coming out of the league a tough out at state.”
For Striegel, the opportunity to coach such a team in such an environment is a privilege he doesn’t take for granted.
“It’s always rewarding for the kids to make it to this level and have the opportunity to perform in front of a big crowd against a strong team,” he said. “It’s what you coach for and what you play for.”
Photos courtesy Rochester High School Warriors Baseball Facebook page.
