Griswold baseball's Lake enjoying first season at helm

Tim Lake’s coaching career began with the Norwich Little League . His baseball journey continued with travel teams Connecticut Heat, Shoreline Hammerheads, and Connecticut Crush.

Now, after two seasons as an assistant coach at Griswold High School, Lake is in his first year as the Wolverines head coach. And he’s “having a blast.”

“The kids are having a blast, too, and the record shows it,” Lake said. “It’s been a great start.”

The Wolverines (9-5) have already qualified for the Class S state tournament and, with six games left on the schedule, are aiming to get some home games in the postseason.

“I tell the kids, every win we get is higher seeding,” Lake said.

The Wolverines are also tied for the top spot in the ECC Division 3 standings , having won 3 of 4 games against Stonington, Bacon Academy, Plainfield, and Montville. Griswold, which is looking for their first division title since 2019, will meet those teams again starting with Bacon Academy on Senior Day (May 7).

“Winning the division is always our first goal,” Lake said.

The Wolverines have been led this season by seniors Sean Garvin, Colin Mitchell, KinKade Rubino and Jacob Hamel, juniors Andrew Hardin, Sam Gilgenbach, Jack Duthrie and Calvin Oddo. Garvin, a shortstop/pitcher, is headed to Eastern Connecticut State, while Mitchell (pitcher/infield) is playing at Mitchell College next season.

Griswold’s talented freshman class is led by Kymani Boyce, Sonny Botello and Cam Deskus. The Wolverines are also getting contributions from junior Kaden Deskus, sophomore Hunter Dupont and seniors Ryan Tate and Chris Duvall.

“It’s a great group,” Lake said. “The kids make it easy. It’s also a great school.”

More: Zanor column: College football bound Wolverines, a new Pats QB, and other thoughts

A stretch of seven games in 10 days left Griswold a little short on pitching during Tuesday’s contest against Lyman Memorial. The Wolverines fell behind early but were able to get the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh before falling 13-10.

Following the game, the Wolverine players spent some time raking the field.

“We did quite a lot with the field this year,” Lake said. “We power washed the bleachers and the concrete. It’s the best the field has looked in a long time.”

More: Spring notebook: NFA boys lacrosse stuns Woodstock with late goal

Lake, who can be described as a players' coach, and his staff, varsity assistant coach Mikel Brockway and junior varsity coach Jordan Lake (Tim's son, who played at Norwich Free Academy), have also created a new atmosphere this season.

“It’s a different energy,” Lake said. “The kids are having a good time. As long as we’re having fun and being loose and playing good baseball, there’s no pressure. That’s all I want them to do. Give me the effort and whatever happens, happens.”

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Griswold baseball's Lake enjoying first season at helm