The St. Thomas Aquinas Baseball tryouts brought students together on the field as players worked to earn a spot on this year’s team. From January 16-18, 2026, through a multitude of drills, thorough evaluation, and an enormous amount of competition, these athletes had the opportunity to showcase the full array of their skill set with maximum effort on display.

These tryouts mark the beginning of the baseball season. According to Coach Ronnie Milo, the coaching staff was looking for more than just raw talent; players with “attitude, effort, concentration, and composure” made the cut. Coaches paid very close attention to fundamentals, body language, and how players responded to adversity. These characteristics indicate players who are ready for the varsity level.

The distinction between JV and Varsity players was a major factor during the tryouts. Milo went into detail, explaining that a varsity player is someone who shows up everyday with determination and the ability to ready themselves to fully compete at the highest level, while a JV player is someone who is still developing their skills and nurturing methods to learn what it really takes to reach a higher level. Their willingness to confidently strive for improvement without hesitation impacted their selection for the JV team.

Coaches offered a clear message for the players that didn’t make the cut for the team this season, “Keep working” Coach Milo insisted, “Opportunity comes with dedication and persistence that can push you to overcome any challenge in your way.” Team goals are set very high for this season as players are extremely motivated to strive past their limits and reach new heights. Coach Joey Warlow said, “We want to go back to back with this group of guys,”and “We have great chemistry as a team.”

This was evident throughout tryouts as players pushed each other and themselves to be able to compete at a higher level. Senior, Nico Sabatino, explained that the most challenging part of tryouts was competing for a spot on the team with so many skilled athletes.

For many of the players, the tryouts were simultaneously nerve wracking and exciting. Despite the constant pressure that these athletes felt while trying out, it was a positive experience. “The experience was very exhilarating, and it was very fun , and it was very well organized, ” stated senior Jaden Doverspike, noting that around 120 players in total participated across both JV and varsity. When athletes were asked what helped them stand out from the rest, another senior, Brady Buxbaum said, “Just bring me.” Players focused on mainly improving little things that they might’ve lacked beforehand such as working together as one team to reach their equal potential and goals. With a set of strong and motivated players, great leadership, and a common set of goals, The STA baseball team enters the season more focused and motivated than ever before.