All Summer Long: Reece Karalus

Posted: Aug 14, 2014

Note: Summer and baseball have always seemed to fit together perfectly. For fans of the game, summer is a time to enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere of America's pastime, but for college baseball players, it is a time for development. College players across the country, including members of the Santa Clara baseball squad, have already left for their summer experiences just weeks after finals as they begin preparation for the 2015 season.

After a much-improved 2014 campaign on the Mission Campus, Bronco ball players now occupy rosters throughout the nation in summer leagues that are helping them grow as players. Santa Clara is represented in twelve different leagues from the Bay Area to New England, while others play for independent teams. The "All Summer Long" series, in its fourth season, will chronicle the Broncos as they play in various summer leagues nationwide.

By Dylan Lynch '16

Aldie, Va. - After a nearly record breaking season pitching for the Broncos, rising junior Reece Karalus has continued his success on the mound this summer playing for the Aldie Senators in Virginia. Karalus, whose 11 saves this past season were the second most in Bronco baseball history, has brought that same skill and effort to Virginia as he was voted to the Valley Baseball League (VBL) All Star game. Karalus has been able to focus on improving his game both from a physical standpoint with the Senators and also on the mental side of the game.

The right-handed closer from North Bend, Wash. led the Broncos with a 2.25 ERA this past season while posting six wins. Following a playoff run in the WCC Championship tournament, Karalus was excited to head to Virginia for his first summer ball season on the East Coast. As is common with many summer league baseball players, Karalus is staying with a host family during his stay in Aldie.

Karalus explained the new experience; "there are five kids in the house ages 6-15. There's always a lot happening and I'm always having fun. The host parents and all the kids have accepted me into the family for the summer and I can't thank them enough."

The Senators' full schedule this summer kept Karalus busy for the most part, but when he wasn't on the diamond or training on his own he found time to go on trips with his host family.

"My host family's house is in a great location. We've been able to go into Washington D.C. to visit a few museums and we also went to a Nationals game that unfortunately got rained out. I've also gotten to visit a few Civil War battle sites, such as Manassas and Gettysburg."

This is Karalus' first summer playing for the Senators, though he is prepared to take advantage of his time in the VBL to improve his performance on the mound.

"My main focus has been my off-speed pitches. I've become more accurate with my fastball so I have been trying to get sharper with my off-speed pitches."

In the 13 innings he pitched this summer, Karalus struck out 22 batters while posting a remarkable .69 ERA, earning him a spot on the North team in the VBL All Star Game. The North team got edged out by the South, 2-1, but Karalus enjoyed the experience despite the outcome.

"The All-Star game was a lot of fun, it was exciting to meet new players from across the country. It was great to talk to everyone about their college experiences and share my own."

In addition to developing his game on the field, Karalus has taken the summer to work on the mental side of the game.

"I've been reading books recommended to us by the Santa Clara coaches. I just finished The Mind Gym, it really focuses on the mental aspect of sports and gives me strategies to become stronger mentally."

Despite the distance between them, Karalus says that he and his Bronco teammates have had no difficulty staying in contact.

"The team has been using a group texting app. It's a great way to stay in touch and share our mutual excitement for the upcoming season!"