League Title in Sight for Viewpoint Baseball Team

This is the time of the season when all the hard work finally begins to start paying off for the Viewpoint High baseball team.

At least, that's how things are suppose to play out.  

With three game remaining on the regular season schedule, the Patriots (13-6, 5-1)  are in position to win a share of the Liberty League championship with a couple of key victories this week.  

"Our goal was to have the kids play consistent ball and not peak to early,'' Viewpoint coach Frank Pontello said. "We control our destiny now. We're right were we want to be.''  

A home game against Thacher looms on Wednesday.

Truth be told, a loss against the Toads won't have a major impact, given the fact they're not a league opponent.  

Nevertheless, a setback would not help matters.  

A win over Providence on Tuesday and a victory over Thacher figures to go a long ways toward building some much-needed confidence for Friday's showdown against Buckley (11-9, 6-0), which sits atop the league standings.  

"Games don't get much bigger than that,'' Pontello said. "It all boils down to the our huge game with Buckley, but to be honest, we can't overlook anyone along the way.  

"We're not going to get to high or to low, not at this stage of the game. The great part about my group is most of them are level-headed. They understand what's at stake.'' 

Viewpoint certainly didn't do itself any favors by losing to Buckley, 4-3, back in mid-April. The Griffins haven't lost since, in fact, winning eight straight games.  

"We're always ready to play Viewpoint'' Buckley coach Lou Tapia said.  

The feeling appears to be mutual.  

"Buckley is one of our biggest rivals, that's for sure,'' said Pontello, whose team turned the things around after the loss to the Griffins and won five consecutive games.  

But first things first.  

For the game against Buckley to have all-important league title implications, the Patriots must take care of business over the course of their upcoming two-game stretch.  

With Tyler Sprague, Ryan Nelson and Andrew Leon firmly set in the lineup, all signs point to Viewpoint being capable.

Sprague and Nelson, after all, are hitting better than .400 on the season for the Patriots and Leon isn't far behind with a .396 batting average.  

On the mound, Gil Brozki has done a serviceable job of keeping Viewpoint in most games.

One of five seniors, he boasts a league-best four wins and a 3.47 ERA.

"Top to bottom, we have a well-rounded group,'' Pontello said. "We're lucky to have no glaring weaknesses. We've got a great bunch of kids here at Viewpoint.  

"It all comes down to this week. All of the off-season training, getting to the field early and leaving late, taking extra batting practice, throwing in a couple of extra bullpen sessions. This is why we work so hard, to be ready, to be prepared for times like this.''