The 2019 baseball season will be Head Baseball Coach Wayne L. King, Jr.'s last one in the books. King has coached at JJC for 32 years and has a current career record of 1105-715-2.
 
"We will be a young team this season," King said. "I am concerned about our inexperience. We have a few sophomores, with the rest freshman. The inexperience is something that will play a big part, especially early in the season."
 
The Wolves return seven sophomores and picked up two transfers along the way.
 
"We are counting on all of our sophomores to lead and carry us early in the year," King stated. "Their experience will be huge for us."
 
JJC will carry 19 freshman on this season's roster.
 
"We have some talented freshman players that can swing the bat and pitch the ball well. It will be an interesting year with all of the youth on the team."
 
Jackson Stulas (39 hits, 18 RBIs, .325) and Noah Hibler (18 hits, .400) return to the infield for JJC. They will be joined by newcomers Matt Duske (Lincoln-Way Central), Cole Alstott (Minooka Community), Jimmy Patock (Lincoln-Way Central), Cody Phillips (Plainfield South), Coliani Martinez (Lake View), and Daniel Fierro (Reed-Custer).
 
Jake Brnca (16 hits, .262) will be back to patrol the outfield along with Kalamazoo Valley transfer Ryan Anderson. Freshman Gavin Grace (Reed-Custer), Sam Andrade (Lincoln-Way West), Brock Bolser (Wilmington), and Zack Lauras (Minooka Community) round out the outfield.
 
Sophomore Nick Airola will return behind the plate for the Wolves. He will be joined by freshman Zach Ogalla (Lincoln-Way East) and Nick Andersen (Lincoln-Way West).
 
Jacob Suchor, Nick Becker, and Kyle Norstrom will bring pitching experience paired with transfer Clint Underwood (Concordia University-WI). Suchor also will see time in the batter's box as he had 16 hits and a .340 batting average last season.
 
Freshman pitchers will include Andrew Feola (The Academy, CO), Adam Herron (Joliet West), Matt Ostrowski (Lockport Township), Ethan Petric (Providence Catholic), Cade Thornberry (Plainfield Central), Jalen Acevedo (Roberto Clemente), and Jake Ostrowski (Lockport Township).
 
A season highlight will have the Wolves traveling to Tyler, Texas for an eight-game spring trip. JJC is no stranger to Tyler, as it is where the Wolves have played in five NJCAA Division III World Series tournaments and won two of their three national championships.
 
The doubleheader on Saturday, May 4 will be a memorable one. All alumni are invited to stop by and celebrate Coach King as he coaches the final home games of his career with the Wolves.
 
"I would love to make a trip to the World Series on my last year," King said. "We are hoping that this group will have a successful and enjoyable season."