State Bound: How a Pitching Staff Built in the Offseason Carried a Team to the Finals
Three arms, one goal, and a coaching staff that bet on development over experience.
In October, when most high school baseball players were watching football, the three pitchers who would carry Northside to the state finals were in a gym throwing bullpens.
Coach Ray Deluca made a decision after last season's first-round exit: he would build his staff from the ground up. He brought in a pitching coach from a local college program, restructured the offseason throwing program, and told his three returning arms — juniors all — that the spring was theirs if they put in the work.
They did. Ace starter Marcus Vega added two miles per hour to his fastball and developed a slider that opposing hitters went 4-for-31 against all season. Second starter Luis Ortega, who had struggled with command as a sophomore, walked just nine batters in 58 innings. Closer Danny Park converted 11 of 12 save opportunities.
The results were historic. Northside finished the regular season 22-4, the program's best record since 2009. In the playoffs, the staff allowed more than three runs just once in seven games.
The state final was a 2-1 loss in extra innings — a heartbreaker, but not a failure. "These three guys gave us everything," Deluca said afterward. "I've never been more proud of a pitching staff in 18 years of coaching."
All three are expected to pitch at the college level. Vega has already committed to a Division I program. Ortega and Park are fielding interest from Division II and III schools. The offseason bet paid off — just not quite all the way.