The Resurgence of HSE Baseball

Adam Hipsky

It wasn’t too long ago Hamilton Southeastern hoisted the most prized possession across the state in Indiana High School Baseball, the class 4A State Championship trophy. Skipper Jeremy Sassanella was in his first year with the club and it seemed the future of HSE Baseball was in good hands. Fast forward four years and the program looks very different than it did at Victory Field on that June night. 

 

The year following that state championship season was hit by the pandemic and had its season cancelled prior to the first game of the season. Then in 2021 the team retook the field for the first time as the defending state champions. This season started the rocky waters that was the Hamilton Southeastern baseball program for the next two years. A 12-16 campaign in 2021 and then a 10-18 overall record and just a 3-11 record during conference play in 2022 led to Head Coach Jeremy Sassanella resigning after the season. The promising future had all of its momentum halted after just two seasons. 

 

The HSE Athletic Program didn’t have to look far to find the new leader of its program. Kory Seitz who attended HSE and has been a coach within the program for the last 18 years. Coach Seitz was a three-sport athlete at HSE playing football, basketball, and baseball. He played baseball for his father Ken Seitz, an Indiana Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame member. After graduating in 1996, he went on to major in Sports Management, while playing baseball at Indiana University. Kory returned to HSE as an assistant coach in 2004 and has been on the baseball staff ever since. When talking to Greg Habegger, HSE Athletic director he addressed his happiness bringing Seitz into the program as the head coach.

 

“We could not be more excited to welcome Coach Seitz into the role of head coach of the Royals baseball program. Kory has literally been a Royal all his life as he grew up watching his father’s teams build an incredible tradition at HSE. He was a standout player himself and is in the HSE Hall of Fame. He has faithfully served as an assistant coach during the tenure of four head coaches. We can’t wait to watch Kory put his own stamp on the Royals Baseball Program.”

 

This year, there is a new energy around this baseball program. Stadiums are being filled, tickets are being sold and Hamilton Southeastern is winning at Ken Seitz Field as his son Kory runs a program his way for the first time in his coaching career. HSE is surging, having already surpassed their conference win total in 2022 which was 3 in their first 4 games in 2023. This 2023 squad is led by their three power arms. Ty Bradle, Ethan Lund, and Brady Strawmeyer have had an excellent start to their 2023 season especially Bradle who is leading the staff with a 0.59 ERA. 

 

On the hitting side, there is a much different approach for the Royals. Cole Earlewine who leads the team in Home Runs while also being third in hits discusses the shift in approach at the plate this season.

“I think we are all just super confident up at the plate this year. Coach Seitz has showed his belief in us so I think we are just comfortable at the plate and let it rip and it’s worked out for us well so far.

 

The buzz is palpable at Hamilton Southeastern as they look to finish their season on a strong note heading into the postseason. The Royals will begin their postseason play on May 26th at Noblesville High School against the Westfield Shamrocks.