West Fargo Sheyenne Baseball: New HC, Same Expectations
MUSTANGS LOOK FOR 4-PEAT IN BASEBALL.
WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR)–West Fargo Sheyenne baseball is in a unique position. After winning not one, not two, but three straight state championships, the Mustangs now eye number four.
The prior three titles all took place under head coach Ryan Bodell’s leadership. With new head coach Jason Beilke, the Mustangs still have the same goal: a State Title.
Beilke says he is grateful to take over such an accomplished program.
“It’s quite an honor to take over a program like this,” said Beilke. “The winning tradition, you know, it’s a relatively still kind of new school, the tradition is strong and the kids are performing at a high level. It’s nice.”
The guys that now call him head coach are familiar with their new leader after having him as an assistant coach throughout their past two title runs.
“Bodell was really good,” said junior infielder Kaden Olson. “He led us to three in a row, but Beilke kind of brings a different point of view. He keeps on us and teaches us a different mentality. We know him, we already like him and it’s just great to have him be the head coach.”
A season ago, after two championships in a row, the Mustangs entered the season ranked number two in the Eastern Dakota Conference preseason poll. Though they have now won three straight, they once again have doubters being ranked number two once again.
The team is unbothered by the ranking and know that all season long they will have a target on their backs as the 3-time defending champs.
“It’s gonna be tough,” said Coach Beilke. “I feel like we’re gonna have a target on our back. Obviously, we’re gonna get everyone’s best, but you just have to show up and compete.”
Kaden Olson continued on the topic saying, “We know everyone’s gonna want to beat us. So, we show up every game because we’re gonna get everyone’s best shot and we got to be ready and just come prepared for every game.”
Senior pitcher, and South Dakota State baseball commit Caleb Duerr, won all three state championships in baseball with the Mustangs. He also won a basketball state title this past winter. He shares his thoughts on the new group for baseball this season and the goal, of course, of winning it all (again).
“We got a lot of new guys this year,” said Duerr. “It’s gonna take a little bit right away, obviously, for those guys to get comfortable. But you know, it’s just compete every day and hopefully go out as state champion.”
Sheyenne will open their season in Sioux Falls, South Dakota this weekend along with three other EDC teams in the ND/SD Border Battle.
The Mustangs will play Sioux Falls Washington and Sioux Falls Christian on Friday. They will then play Sioux Falls Jefferson and Sioux Falls O’Gorman on Saturday.
Barring weather delays, Sheyenne expects to open up EDC play on Tuesday, April 9, hosting Fargo Davies.
