New Coach, New Season for MCC Baseball

The Fighting Scots baseball team is heading into a new season with a new head coach, although one with a familiar name and face, as Jared Wacker takes over for retired MCC coaching legend Kim “Hoss” Johnson.

The season opened Feb. 24 in Jackson, TN under Wacker, a 2000 MCC graduate and Scots’ baseball alumnus. Wacker is leading a solid team that began the season with two weekend trips south before coming home to the Northern Illinois area to play the reminder of the schedule.

 “I had the opportunity to gain collegiate head coaching experience in Rockford, IL a few years ago and then made the decision to come back home to MCC when I was offered a full-time position in registration,” said Wacker. “I was then able to coach part-time with the Scots’ team but came back with aspirations to perhaps someday head up the program, if the timing and the opportunity were to present itself.

"Following a well-respected MCC baseball coaching legend like Hoss Johnson is humbling and an honor, especially since I’m now the head coach at my alma mater, a place that has contributed greatly to my academic and professional growth.”

The Scots will look to some experienced sophomores as well as a talented group of freshmen this season.

“We are really fortunate to have a quality group of sophomores, transfers and freshmen here this year,” Wacker added. “Our infield defense is expected to be extremely good and we look for that to be one of our strengths. One goal we have is to have no weaknesses.

"We integrated an off season program that increased the amount of study time as well as intensified our strength and speed programs. The players embraced it and I believe that shows with the overall success we had in the classroom and the enhanced athleticism we expect to demonstrate on the field. The key for us has been to focus on our routines, prepare mentally, and do our best to better ourselves every day, constantly moving forward.”

The Scots' season got off to a rough start under Wacker when they were outscored 37-2 after three straight losses.

The team's record stands at 3-5 after eight games.

“We're trying to focus our players on staying fundamental and routine. Playing the game one pitch at a time keeps things simpler and avoids clouding the mind with too many potentially negative thoughts," Wacker said. "It's something we build into each and every practice, in preparing for a challenging regular and postseason schedule.

“We've been fortunate to add some talented and athletic newcomers to this returning group of sophomores,” Coach Wacker continued. “Some of these guys chose different avenues after high school but then realized the benefits of playing here at MCC and are now experiencing a quality education and an extremely positive participation in the Scots’ baseball program, every day.  This group has set high goals and standards for themselves on the field and in the classroom, standards I believe will be the foundation of this program now and for years to come. I couldn't be happier with the direction this program is heading and the types of well-rounded players that we are attracting.”

The Scots' home opener is 2 p.m. March 21 against Rockford College.

The MCC Scots’ baseball schedule, results and information can be found at www.mchenry.edu/athletics.

— Wally Reynolds