July 14, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

SJO baseball adapting to strange times this spring: ‘The most difficult part is not seeing the players’

Ever since Josh Haley took control of the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team, success has followed.

So have solid relationships with his players. Meaningful moments the ninth-year coach of the Spartans cherishes.

“The most difficult part is not seeing the players each day,” Haley said. “We spent quality time together the last few days we were able to practice, so we had a chance to discuss what may happen in the coming weeks.”

What happened is no baseball. No games. No practices. No weight-lifting sessions. Nothing.

The coronavirus pandemic has closed schools across the state of Illinois and, as a result, has forced the suspension of high school spring sports around Illinois.

“It was difficult to discuss, especially with the seniors and not knowing if we’d have a chance to compete this year,” Haley said. “I am posting daily messages on our baseball Google classroom to our players and have started posting messages from our alumni for encouragement.”

It’s most certainly not the way Haley expected to spend this spring when practices started in late February. The Spartans are coming off a 2019 season that produced a 27-9-2 record and saw the Spartans win a seventh straight Class 2A regional championship.

“We had an excellent two weeks of practice,” said Haley, who has compiled a 224-65-2 record at SJO. “The guys were focused and prepared. Our pitchers were throwing the ball well and had just finished their final live bullpen session before game action.”

Superb pitching is a tent of Haley’s teams at SJO and the 2020 roster is no different. Junior Crayton Burnett returned as the team’s ace after solidifying that spot during his sophomore season, while senior Keegan McCarty is back as well to give the Spartans a potent 1-2 duo on the mound.

McCarty, who also plays first base, is one of 10 seniors on the roster. Pitcher/infielder Joe Acton, outfielder Brendan Cooprider, second baseman/pitcher Drew Coursey, pitcher/infielder Blake Dable, pitcher/outfielder Robert Gebbink, ffoutfielder/third baseman Jaden Miller, outfielder Blake Primmer, outfielder Brayden Weaver and pitcher/outfielder Sam Wesley give the Spartans a strong veteran presence. Not seeing them in action yet this season is difficult for Haley.

“It’s tough. I love those guys,” Haley said. “We’ve had four years to develop relationships with them. I was excited to see their growth on the field. They’ve all grown tremendously as young men off the field. I hope they have a chance to compete because they won’t get a second chance at their senior season.”

Burnett, who also plays shortstop when he’s not on the mound, headlines the junior class that also features pitcher/outfielder John Ehmen, pitcher/infielder Isaiah Immke, pitcher/infielder Zach Martinie, pitcher/first baseman Xander Rieches and pitcher/first baseman Jackson Rydell. Sophomores Tyler Altenbaumer (pitcher/third baseman), Andrew Beyers (catcher/outfielder), Coby Miller (catcher) and Keaton Nolan (pitcher/outfielder) and freshman Ty Pence (pitcer/infielder) round out SJO’s roster.

All of whom had showed promising signs in the preseason portion of the season.
“They were focused and hungry,” Haley said. “We had leadership and accountability from the upperclassmen. This group wanted to leave their mark and felt they had unfinished business from last year. They were focused on their goal.”
While Haley said he has tried to take advantage of this rare down time in the spring compared to past seasons by spending more time with his family and working on projects around the house, he’s itching for a return to baseball season if that’s possible in 2020.

“It’s different,” he said. “This is the first time in 26 years that I haven’t had practices or games to prepare for. It’s an empty feeling by not doing what we are meant to as coaches.”

And if the 2020 SJO baseball team is able to gather, conduct a practice or play a game, the moments will be savored.

“It will be emotional,” Haley said, “and I don’t think anyone will take for granted the opportunity to practice, play a game or even just be together as a team.”
 

Banner
Related Posts

What could district format look like for SJO football?

July 26, 2019

July 26, 2019

This decade has seen plenty of different conference opponents for St. Joseph-Ogden High School’s football team. Playing in three conferences...

Spartans look for successful 2019 season

July 26, 2019

July 26, 2019

Although the calendar may still say July, the St. Joseph-Ogden high school football team has been busily preparing for the...

SJO soccer knocks off Comets via penalty kicks

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School soccer team picked up its second win of the season last Friday. The Spartans played...

McCarty, Burnett sharp on the mound as SJO baseball pads win total

April 14, 2019

April 14, 2019

The wins keep adding up for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School baseball team. Much like the solid pitching by the...

Fall scrimmage night set at SJO

August 23, 2019

August 23, 2019

Want to get a sneak peek at what St. Joseph-Ogden High School athletes will look like this upcoming fall season?...

SJO announces winter sport letter and award winners

March 27, 2019

March 27, 2019

Basketball CheerleadingBrooke Butorac, Sr.Keely McCorkle, Sr.Megan Mitchell, Sr.Alyssa Whitlock, Sr.Kaylee Blackburn, Jr.Faith Dahman, Jr.Eliza Lewis, Jr.Lexi Ribbe, Jr.Makenzie Barron, So.Raegan...

Poe named male student-athlete of the month for August

September 20, 2019

September 20, 2019

Photo by Betty Lake Photography Eric Poe is a leader. St. Joseph-Ogden cross country head coach Jason Retz said Poe...

Postseason play begins for St. Joseph Middle School baseball, softball teams

September 22, 2020

September 22, 2020

Whether the St. Joseph Middle School would have baseball and softball teams this school year was uncertain. All because of...

Ward, Cromwell help SJO softball end losing skid

April 24, 2019

April 24, 2019

Losing streaks are never easy to deal with. But thanks to Kaylee Ward and Ashtyn Cromwell, the four-game skid the...

SJO Softball letter and award winners

June 7, 2022

June 7, 2022

Kennedy Hudson, Sr.Jacey Lewis, Sr.Jessica Palmer, Sr.Taylor Wells, Sr.Alyssa Acton, Jr.Shayne Immke, Jr.Peyton Jones, Jr.Ava Northen, Jr.Kat Short, Jr.Halle Brazelton,...

Sparks plans on continuing Spartan success

March 14, 2019

March 14, 2019

Replacing a legend is not an easy task. However, when the legend is the all-time winningest softball coach in the...

23-24 IPC WRESTLING ALL CONFERENCE TEAMS

February 23, 2024

February 23, 2024

The Illinois Prairie Conference has announced its conference wrestling teams. 1st Team: (U: means Unanimous)  PLAYER NAME GRADE WEIGHT CLASS...

Seeley’s hat trick leads SJO soccer to first win

September 10, 2019

September 10, 2019

Prolific goal scoring highlighted both of St. Joseph-Ogden High School’s soccer matches last week. One went in favor of the...

SJO girls’ basketball stays close, but loses first two games

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

Playing in the Illini Prairie Conference means the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball team will get tested during conference games each...

Sjuts saving the best for last

May 9, 2019

May 9, 2019

Rylee Sjuts is starting her final month as a track athlete for St. Joseph-Ogden High School. If the past is...

Comments
Leave a Reply