With the playoffs fast approaching, the New Trier Baseball team finally seems to be reaching their full potential.

Over the course of the season, the Trevians went through their fair share of hot streaks and slumps.

But the team is definitely firing on all cylinders heading into their first playoff game against St. Patrick.

“We went through a stretch in April where we struggled to hit, but guys are really finding their swings,” said head coach Michael Napoleon.

“We’re peaking at the right time.”

Senior slugger and Northwestern-commit Josh Perlmutter agreed.

“We have had our ups and downs,” he said. “But we have really come together towards the end of the season and are really playing well.”

After starting off the season by winning five of their first six games, the Trevians’ bats cooled off during a middling 4-4 stretch as the team scored just over three runs per game.

However, the hitters busted out of the slump in a 10-0 win over Jones Prep on April 24.

The Trevians rode their hot bats to a 9-4 finish, including five consecutive wins to close out the regular season.

The strong finish propelled the Trevians to an 11-5 conference record, good for third in the CSL South.

In addition to the strong finish to the season, Napoleon is looking for bigger things in the playoffs, saying, “Hopefully the high point [of the season] hasn’t come yet.”

Napoleon said team chemistry fuels the Trevians and is one of their biggest strengths.

“A lot of these guys have played together for a long time and they have confidence in each other,” he said. “That builds team camaraderie and a sense that they don’t want to let each other down.”

“Our team chemistry is amazing and it gives us energy to play as a team,” Perlmutter added.

Routines like blasting the same playlist of songs on the team bus ride after wins help the Trevians bond and stay loose going into the playoffs.

While team play keys the Trevians success, strong individual performances have also contributed to their success this season.

Napoleon commended the play and leadership ability of three seniors who have powered the Trevians.

Nick Hedge, a senior Penn State-commit, “has been very steady on the mound this year,” said Napoleon. “He’s also a good team leader.”

Napoleon also mentioned the hitting ability and leadership of Perlmutter.

“He’s one of our best players,” Napoleon said of Perlmutter.

Every good baseball team needs a steady force behind the plate, and the Trevians have that this season in senior catcher Chris Hall.

“Being a catcher, you’re involved in every play of the game,” said Napoleon. “He really helps our team stay focused and gets kids up on the bench.”

Napoleon also accomplished a big individual achievement of his own, winning his 700th career game as a head coach in a 9-7 win over Maine South on May 12.

With the regular season in the books, the Trevians now have all their attention focused on the playoffs, which began on Wednesday.

Napoleon is optimistic about the road ahead because of his team’s determination, work ethic, and quality of character.

“You play each game separately and we like to play each playoff game like it’s the last one we’ll ever play,” Napoleon said.

“This team works really hard and they’re really focused. They’re great guys to be around and in the playoffs good things happen to good people.”

Perlmutter summed up the aspirations of the players with one very simple goal for the playoffs, summing up the entire team’s mindset: “Win out. Win state.”