As a new year of high school sports rolls around, the UHS baseball team is being led by a new set of coaches this year. Following their CIF appearance last year, UHS baseball wants to make a change that will allow them to win the title. Head Coach Jessie Anderson and assistant coach Jacob Collins potentially are the missing pieces needed to push UHS to victory. 

Anderson has been part of the UHS baseball coaching staff for several years. He is known for his experience and deep knowledge of building a winning team. In contrast, Collins, a former top player, aims to use his playing skills to help improve the players’ technique. 

Sophomore Jonas Kim believes the new coaching staff’s practices focus on in-game scenarios. 

“We take a lot of reps hitting and picking up ground balls [the coaches] hit to us,” Kim said. “It allows us to practice game-like scenarios and mentally prepares us.” 

In addition to mental and technical training, sophomore Miles Petras, a returning player, and Kim’s teammate, highlights the coaches’ experience and the sense of camaraderie they bring to the team. 

“[Collins] is a great coach who brings loads of previous experience to the team,” Petras said. “I’ve grown so much as a baseball player thanks to him.” 

Sophomore Sean Finger, a two-year player on the team, explains his coaches’ focus on hard work, structure and fundamentals. 

“They are always telling us to work harder and to pay attention to our fundamentals,” Finger said. “Being fundamentally sound is the key to success. I know that if we all pay attention and focus on our fundamentals, we will be a successful team.”

The UHS baseball team will kick off their spring season with a home game on March 12, 2025.