BY BRAXTON STRICKER

For the first time since 2008, the Warrior baseball team is close to being crowned CHL champions.  Led by the pitching of seniors, Eric Nerl and Erik Swanson, the Warriors have a 10-3 league record going into Saturday’s game against Wyoming (rescheduled due to rain).

Already into their postseason run, with a 9-0 win over North College Hill, the Warriors face Madeira for the third and final time this season.

“Anything could happen in the postseason but I think our pitching could take us deep in the tournament as long as we get some run-support,” says Swanson.

Nerl currently has six wins and is leading the league in strikeouts. At 186 career strikeouts, Nerl is one strikeout away from claiming the school record. “His velocity and off-speed pitches have come a long way since I first watched him throw.  He is having an outstanding season just as I expected,” says Swanson about his teammate.

Next year, Nerl plans to attend Eastern Kentucky University on a baseball scholarship. “I asked them why I should go there, and they said that I could help the team from the start and that with weight-training they could make me a better player,” he says.

Swanson has four wins and 63 strikeouts, second-best in the league. Next year, he plans to attend Wabash Valley Junior College. “They are currently ranked 6th in the nation; I’m excited to go there and experience baseball at a whole new level,” Swanson states.

“Swanson has had the best season out of any pitcher in the CHL; his fastball has hit 90 a couple of times this season,” says Nerl. “Our pitching has carried us.”

When asked about a postseason run, and the Madeira grudge match, Nerl simply responded, “I like our chances.”

“We have the best pitching staff in the CHL which always helps,” says Swanson.