BELOIT — The message was overwhelmingly clear that the theme for the Beloit Junior Legion Bandits this summer is versatility.
And that doesn’t include just the players, who all seem to have a knack to be able to plug into any position and make an impact, but the coaching staff as well.
While 2023 Beloit Turner graduate JT Fell, who was also on the Bandits last summer, is listed as the official head coach, it is more of a “coaching by committee” situation due to time constraints and other commitments.
“Everybody fills in when they can,” Shawn Underhill, a member of the coaching staff, said. “There’s a couple of us that are allowed to dedicate a little bit more time than the others because the others have prior obligations and other kids in sports. So, we all help where we can and feed off of each other’s strengths.”
Other coaches include Shawn Watters, an assistant with the Beloit Turner team, and Phil Daskam, the head coach of the junior varsity Trojans.
Building a rapport with both the athletes and between the fellow coaches will be a crucial part of the early season.
“I’ve never worked with these coaches before,” Underhill said. “Phil and Shawn have worked together at Turner, but I’m getting to know them and getting to know their strengths and their weaknesses and my strengths, my weaknesses. Then, we try to translate that to the kids. I can work with the kids on my strengths. JT can work with the kids on his strengths, etc. It’s going to work out pretty well.”
And the Bandits have a high precedent to try and reach after last season’s squad won a regional tournament to advance to the AAA State Tournament, where they went 1-2.
“There’s a few kids that were on the team last year that went to state, and there’s definitely a desire to make it back,” Underhill said. “But we lost some really good leaders that moved up to Senior Legion. In the meantime, we’ve had other kids that have really stepped up and become those leaders.”
Many of last year’s players are now on the senior level, and that means the squad that is a mix of Beloit Memorial, Turner and one from Clinton will have to learn to gel quickly if it wants to get back to state.
“Evin Splan, who’s out of Clinton, hasn’t really played with any of our kids before,” the coach said. “So, getting them comfortable, getting them exposed to one another, is huge. They all have meshed pretty well together so far.”
Underhill highlighted Carter Middleton as one of those early leaders stepping up, and they will rely on the Trojan to work plenty of innings from the mound.
“Carter is a very versatile player who can play pretty much anywhere,” he said. “He’s really stepping up and has really grown over the past couple of years. He has put in some really good games lately and closed out Turner’s season pretty strong,”
Jaxon Walenga will be another important player who will make an impact both with his bat and with his arm.
“Jaxon played with us last year and he has always been the kind of kid to take others under his wing and help them grow,” Underhill said. “Jaxon and Carter are our most versatile players. We’re looking into some pitchers because it is an area where we’re probably not the strongest, but we’ve had some other kids who have really stepped up. Tayvon Cates has stepped up and pitched some really good innings.
“This year we’re going to have to really pitch by committee. Everybody’s going to have to throw at least a couple of innings and grow a little bit.”
No position out in the field will be locked down as the flexible squad can throw anybody anywhere and feel safe doing so.
“Carter and Jaxon can play anywhere,” Underhill said. “We have a couple that can play infield and outfield. Kayden Tyler and Austyn Kjendlie can bounce back and forth. There’s a few kids I’m not super familiar with, and I’m getting to know them. They seem very promising to be able to play multiple positions.”
Underhill added that the lineup isn’t full of power hitters but rather batters who can consistently put the ball in play.
“Tayvon Cates has been a pretty good leadoff and he is followed by Carter Middleton, but that could definitely change from game to game,” Underhill said. “We have a couple good ball players who unfortunately are injured to start the season. Brenin Pearson is a nice lefty that I like to go to, but he’s out for the year because of a broken ankle.
“Easton Underhill last year really started putting the ball in play and he almost put the ball in play every at bat.”
The Bandits won their season opener 10-9 against Fort Atkinson last Thursday and split a doubleheader on Saturday against the Racine Steelheads. Tyler was especially hot in those games, going 3-for-6 with three runs scored and two RBI.
“A lot of people may see Kayden and misjudge him because of his size,” coach Underhill said. “But I’ve seen him grow, and I’ve always known he can hit. He’s also fast, so he can surprise you with his speed. And he’s actually a pretty good defensive player, as well.”
For Underhill, his goals for the squad are pretty simple.
“Doing well in regionals and making it back to state is always going to be a goal,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I just want player growth and to feed the high school program. Teach these kids to be mature young adults and be able to be successful in their high school careers.”
• JUNIOR BANDITS SCHEDULE:
June 18: at Fort Atkinson, 5:30 p.m.; 23: at Middleton, 11 a.m.; 23: at Middleton, 1:30 p.m.; 25: at Palmyra, 6 p.m.; 26: at Elkhorn, 6 p.m.; 28: vs Mukwonago at Fort Atkinson Tournament, 5 p.m.; 29: vs Fond du Lac at Fort Atkinson Tourney, 11:15 a.m.; 29: vs Fort Atkinson at Fort Atkinson Tourney, 6 p.m.; 30: vs Hartland at Fort Atkinson Tourney, 1:30 p.m.
July 2: at Whitewater, 5 p.m.; 2: at Whitewater, 7 p.m.; 8: PALMYRA, 6 p.m.; 10: ELKHORN, 6 p.m.; 11: WHITEWATER, 5 p.m.; 11: WHITEWATER, 7 p.m.; 12: RACINE, 6:30 p.m. 19: Regional Tournament begins. 26: State Tournament begins.
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