by Kristin Blacksher
Bishop Ward baseball has seen much success in the last 10 years under the leadership of Head Coach Dennis Hurla: the team has won seven regional championship titles, six state championship titles and smashed four state records since 2004.
Last Thursday, the preseason baseball poll conducted by the coaches in Kansas Class 4A DII had the Bishop Ward Cyclones ranked No. 1 in the state.
With the start of the season quickly approaching, coach Hurla and Bishop Ward have announced new talent to the 2014 baseball team: coaches Chance Brull, Bill Grosdidier, class of ’77, Ralph Anthony Sanchez, class of ’01, and Michael Golubski, class of ’12.
Coach Chance Brull attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School and then successfully became a four-year Doane College letter winner and NAIA All-American pitcher. He represented the United States of America in the Goodwill Series played in Australia, where the USA team competed against the Chinese national team and the Australian semi-professional team. Chance will assist in pitching and coaching JV games.
Coach Bill Grosdidier attended Bishop Ward High School and graduated in 1977. He played on the 1977 5A-6A Bishop Ward team and pitched a shutout state tournament game against the No. 1 ranked Wichita Southeast team. He earned a baseball scholarship to Benedictine College where he played for four years as a pitcher. Then in 1983, he signed a contract to play baseball for the Atlanta Braves organization from 1983-1986, reaching AA level. Grosdidier will assist in pitching and coaching varsity games.
Coach Ralph Anthony Sanchez is a 2001 Bishop Ward High School graduate and lifelong resident of Kansas City, Kan. He was the starting second baseman of the 2001 Bishop Ward baseball team that placed third at state. Sanchez will coach infielders and JV games.
Coach Michael Golubski graduated from Bishop Ward High School in 2012. He was the starting third baseman of the 2010 Bishop Ward state championship team. Golubski will coach outfielders and JV games.
Kristin Blacksher is the marketing and alumni manager for Bishop Ward High School.