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2026 SEASON SCHEDULE PREVIEW

BELEN BASEBALL

FINDS ITS RHYTHM EARLY IN SEASON

By Jason Vilberg

With the first 12 games in the season over with, the Wolverines stand at an outstanding 9-3 record: While many expected a very solid season, the level at which the Wolverines are playing is way beyond what anyone saw coming. Taking last year as an example, the Wolverines had a losing record at this point in the season, going 6-6. While many wondered why the team’s gotten so much better, the players knew that this was going to be a season never to forget.

According to RF Peter Lopez, “We have a really good connection this year. The first step to being a good team is good chemistry, and we’re doing that really well I think. Now obviously we always had good teamwork, but there’s just something about this year that is making us really good.”

While team bonding is at an all time high, the quality of players is also fully blossoming. Players who’ve been in the Belen baseball system for ages now have seemingly fully unlocked their potential, leading to a team that plays like it knows how great it is. Each player has different

skill sets. While SS Julian Alber is a speedster and racks stolen bases to his statline, DH Miguel Garrido has consistently held a steady bat, leading the team with an outstanding .444 batting average.

It’s in this category where Belen’s crew has improved the most in.

Outside of outlier OF Jake Cueto, last year the highest batting average on the team belonged to OF Amauri Gonzalez and his .286 average. Remarkably, only one player this year has a lower batting average than a .286. While it still is early in the season, and stats are likely to change, Belen’s boys have still faced mightily tough opponents such as American Heritage, showing that their hitting stats aren’t just against opponents who are normally batting practice.

On the mound, Belen’s pitchers have taken a step up as well. Take Victor Escobar for example. After ramping his velocity to over 90 mph, he’s led the team with a 0.74 ERA and four wins (which coincidentally ranks him #4 in the nation for wins).

Compared to this point last year, poor outings against St. Brendan and Stoneman Douglass resulted in

his ERA being above a 2.6. Likewise, after seeing practically no use last year, Adrian Diaz de Villegas has upped his games, earning 0 runs in the games he’s started in. To Escobar, the increased pitching prowess was caused by the same things that caused the hitting increase: teamwork. “We play better as a team, and our practices are way more efficient this year,” says Escobar. “It feels like a completely new team, and it’s pretty good.”

Even after a loss against the Miami Springs Golden Hawks on Thursday night, the team’s outlook is still very positive. According to 3B Alejandro Cordero, “ We don’t take days off and hold each other accountable, but still keep that fun aspect of the game allowing us to enjoy our time on the field. Everyone in our locker room has the same goal in mind which is to make

an impressive run in the postseason and bring some hardware back to Belen.” Against the unwavering brutality of defeat, hope still rises above, and the Wolverines look to

“We have a really good connection this year. The first step to being a good team is good chemistry, and we’re doing that really well I think. Now obviously we always had good teamwork, but there’s just something about this year that is making us really good.” - Peter Lopez ‘26 “

The Wolverines’ Perspective: An Ode to Coach

By Joaquin Salvade

Ready for more after leading a variety of teams, such as Terra and Coral Gables, Coach Jesus “Jesse” Fernandez transitioned to the Wolverine baseball family four years ago. Since joining the community, Coach Jesse has brought a fresh perspective to the game of baseball and has left a substantially positive impact on America’s pastime like never before.

Leading the Wolverines to victory in last year’s regional finals or swiftly celebrating the win in this year’s Nike Classic championship are just a few of the major accomplishments our athletes have celebrated under his leadership. He has achieved this with his tried-and-true, challenging—but honest— style of coaching.

“He is sometimes hard on us, but that honesty and communication are exactly what everyone on our team needs. He pushes us hard, yeah, but he pushes us in a good

direction and always makes an effort to make us better players.” – Victor Escobar

That tough-love style of leadership pushes his athletes to the next level and motivates them to perform beyond what they thought was possible. Above all else, his top priority is to turn his athletes into stellar baseball players, and he knows exactly what to say to get them there.

“He is a players’ coach. He obviously wants to win and make us better players, but he also tries hard to make sure everyone on the team, regardless of how they play, knows that he is always there to support them.” – Peter Lopez

His love for baseball and dedication to his team have, in turn, allowed Jesse to become an incredibly strategic coach, molding him into a precise and tactically brilliant leader who shapes his players to suit their specific skill sets.

“He has an incredible knowledge of our program and really knows the sport well. He always scouts other teams and sees exactly what we

need to work on to win. He makes sure to communicate with us whatever we need so we don’t have to guess, and he helps us focus on our skills in a way that makes us better players.”

- Alex Delgado

His time at Belen is just beginning. Coach Jesse still has plenty to offer the program. As the season goes on, our Wolverine community can’t wait to see what else he brings to the table this season—and beyond!

Q & A

With Julian Alber

By Joaquin Slavade

For the Wolverines baseball program, energy, resilience, and discipline are just as, if not more, important than talent. While those qualities are present in all of our athletes, shortstop Julian Alber embodies them above and beyond what’s required of him. As a key force in the infield, Alber has garnered a reputation for steady defense, consistent batting, and, most importantly, a passion and energy that can ignite the entire team.

“My baseball career has been such a blessing for me. It’s taught me to work harder than I ever thought I could, stay strong and disciplined, and compete among the best.”

For Alber, baseball has always been about more than just stats on a sheet or simply the game itself. He prides himself on the fact that baseball has helped shape his mindset and personality both on and off the field. This discipline he has developed has pushed him through all sorts of hardships and allowed him to fight his way to the top, even through difficult challenges.

“I’ve had to battle through a couple of injuries throughout my time playing. I always tell myself to focus and to never stop working hard, even when I’m hurt, allowing me to play my ‘A’ game regardless of what’s going on.”

Injuries are unfortunate for many athletes, but Alber’s thick skin and passion for the sport have allowed him to overcome these setbacks and push even harder. Instead of slowing down, he uses them as fuel to ramp up the work.

“I’m pretty good at hitting, and my defense is really strong, but I think my best quality is bringing the love and energy I have for my squad and for the game, like a spark plug.”

With his work ethic, resilience, and passion for the sport, Julian Alber represents everything about being