Spokesman Volume 59 Issue 2

Preview of the 2023 MLB Season
Hutch Henderson, XI
PRINT STAFF WRITER
T he 147th season of Major
League Baseball officially starts
off on Thursday, March 30. The
first of 162 games across six
months, each one a unique version
of the game that is so popular
both in this country and around
the world. Last year ended with
the Houston Astros being crowned
world champions as they defeated
the Philadelphia Phillies in a 4–2
series. The Astros had lots of help
from their rookie shortstop, Gold
Glove winner Jeremy Peña, who
will look to follow his late success
into the new year. Veteran righty,
Justin Verlander, who earned a
Cy Young along with his World
Series Ring, also contributed to
the Astros’ success. Verlander is
now on the New York Mets after
signing a two-year $86 million
deal in the fall. He joins shortstop
Francisco Lindor and first baseman
Pete Alonso in the quest to bring
a championship to Queens. Just
across the way lies the Behemoth
that is the New York Yankees
Organization. The definition of
iconic, the Yankees are the most
successful sports franchise of all
time. New York has been feeling
the pressure lately, with the
Looking Back Upon a Memorable Winter Athletic Season
SPORTS 9
team’s last World Series win and
appearance in 2009; they look to
goliath outfielders Aaron Judge
and Gincarlo Stanton to lead their
team to the promised land. Despite
being a Dodgers fan, junior Sam
Salguero said, “I think the Yankees
look very strong and might be able
to beat the Dodgers if they meet in
the World Series.” There is reason
to be confident of the Yankees
with the outfield backed by Aaron
(Artwork/Madeline Cook ’25)
Judge, Harrison Bader, Giancarlo
Stanton, and Aaron Hicks, along
with the left side of the infield
manned by Isaiah Kiner-Falefa
and Josh Donaldson, claims junior
Cyril Pandya. Moving all the way
across the country to San Diego,
you will find debatably the best
infield in the world consisting
of veterans Manny Machado and
newly signed Xander Bogaerts, as
well as the future of the game in
Fernando Tatis Jr. In the outfield
for the padres is Juan Soto, a man
on pace to be the greatest ballplayer
of all time. Soto is earning $23
million a year at just 23 years old
and in his fifth year of professional
baseball. This is just a small look
into the fast-approaching MLB
season, but the immense amount
of talent across the league can get
even the most casual fans very
excited for what is to come. r
Laasya Kanumuri, XI
PRINT SPORTS ASSOCIATE
T he 2023 Princeton Day
School Winter athletic season
has undeniably been a memorable
one. School spirit, particularly our
“Panther Pride,” was at an all-time
high, showcasing immense support
for our student-athletes. In addition
to the sports teams, the PDS
Booster Club facilitated Winterfest,
which aimed to coordinate spirit
throughout our community. The
pom-poms and foam paws that the
Boosters distributed helped enliven
the stands. The pep rally that
preceded allowed a great outlet for
acknowledging our winter athletes
and having a fun time.
Girls’ Varsity Basketball showed
immense improvement this season,
especially in creating strong
connections off the court, which
has translated onto their spectacular
performance on the court. Their
ability to have fun together while
still playing basketball with
integrity was admirable. The team
fostered a sense of belonging and
bridging, which is the theme this
school year is built upon. Captain
Mia Hartman expressed, “This
season was definitely a ride. We
won some, and we lost some, but we
never once gave up. This team was
very special. We bonded quickly
and created a family in a matter
of a week. We played basketball
competitively but also made sure
we had fun. I am so grateful for all
the girls on the team, and I can’t
wait to see what the season brings
next year!” Starting shootingguard
junior Kaitlyn Zarish-
Yasunas further affirmed, “It was
an unforgettable season. The closeknit
community that we created
allowed this team to really feel like
a family. I can’t wait to see how we
continue to progress next year!”
Boys’ Varsity Basketball made
a name for themselves this year as
well. The team started off the season
strong, defeating Springfield in the
South Hunterdon tournament, and
has continued to have a significant
number of wins across the board.
Seniors Jaden Dublin and Jaden
Hall were featured on NJ.com. As
the article stated, “Dublin hit for
19 points as Princeton Day earned a
61-56 road win over West Windsor-
Plainsboro South in Princeton
Junction. Hall added 17 in the dual-
Jaden attack.”
The Boys’ and Girls’ fencing teams
have also been very successful this
season. Due to the recent retirement
of Paul Epply-Schmidt, the team
welcomed two PDS soccer coaches
onto their coaching staff, a change
which the team took on positively.
2023 Prep-B Champion junior
Greta Yuan reminisced on the past
season, sharing “Having two soccer
coaches coaching fencing definitely
Sophomore Parth Khera competes at Blair Academy (Photo/Umang Sharma ‘26)
made this season memorable in the
best way possible, whether it was
learning fencing rules from us, or
cheering for my teammates hoping
the referee would give the points
based on how loud we cheered.
Either way, this year’s fencing team
has never been closer. All of this,
and more, led us to an unforgettable
season.”
Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey had
an exemplary record this year,
constituting an extremely strong,
yet amicable team, both on and
off the ice. Junior defender Izzy
Cook stated, “We had a really great
season. We didn’t let the injuries
bring us down, we were extremely
hard-working, and determined.
Even though we lost to [Morristown
Beard] in the regular season, we are
ready to defeat them in the State
Tournament!”
Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey has
proven to be a fan-favorite this
year, as they have continuously
been displaying a great amount of
positive energy, efficiency, and
grit. Regardless of the PDS vs.
Lawrenceville ice hockey game
being held at the Lawrenceville
School’s Louk Ice Center, nearly
100 PDS students, faculty members,
and parents attended, furthering the
notion of just how much enthusiasm
and encouragement the PDS
community expends.
The Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity
Squash Teams had an outstanding
season, not only with their great
number of wins, but also with the
persistance they have demonstrated,
without fail, during their season. The
Girls’ Squash Team unquestionably
has the most creative psychs amongst
the winter-sport teams, and their
Instagram is brimming with spirited
and humorous content (be sure to
check them out @pdsgvsquash)! r