Fayetteville Freshmen Duo Have Big Impact on Road to State Title Game

While a big senior class of players (six in all) have been a huge part of the Fayetteville baseball team’s march to the state title game this Saturday, the young guys are more than doing their part too.

Kandon Kaspar and Dylan Henneke have both emerged as star freshmen for the Lions too.

Kaspar is a starting infielder (sometimes third, sometimes first) and Henneke is the starting catcher. Both are hitting well over .300.

“I had high expectations for what they could so, and they’ve even exceeded that,” said Fayetteville head coach Clint Jaeger. “Dylan behind the plate has been great for us back there. He made two great defensive plays the other day against Brookeland, throwing a runner out and catching a bunt pop-up ... Kandon in the playoffs has stepped up big with his bat, moving up to the five spot in the lineup to give us some protection there. He hit his first home run in the playoffs.

“They’ve both gotten some key hits and RBIs for us. They are smart at the plate.”

And the best part?

Fayetteville’s got them for three more years after this season.

“They are only going to get better – bigger, faster, stronger,” Jaeger said.

We’re proud to honor these young stars as this week’s Fayette County Athletes of the Week.

We caught up with them Monday morning before practice. Here’s our interview with them:

The last two years you were middle schoolers when Fayetteville made the state title game in baseball. Did you go to the title games and what do you remember about them?

Kandon: “I went to all the playoff games and the state games. I remember how good the team was and how they had each others’ back, just like we do now.”

Dylan: “I went to both of the games .... One thing I always remember coming into this season was to play together and push ourselves.”

Talk about the transition

to playing high school ball and how it’s gone for you?

Kandon: “It’s not too much different. Select Ball really helped with that.”

Dylan: “I thought it would be harder because of the faster pitching, but a year of Select Ball helped me a lot and got me used to the speed.”

Did you expect to make the impact you’ve had so quickly?

Kandon: “I hoped to make the impact but I don’t know if I expected it.”

Dylan: “I actually didn’t expect to bat (nearly) .400 this year. It’s surprised me a lot.”

Do you get nervous in these big games, and how do you fight those nerves?

Kandon: “I expected to be nervous, but I really haven’t been. I think my teammates have really helped me with that.”

Dylan: “I’ve gotten nervous every game so far this year. I pray before every game and that helps a little bit, and I pray before every at-bat too.”

Y’all are just freshmen, but have you started driver’s ed yet? How’s it going? What would be your dream vehicle?

Kandon: “I’ve completed my drivers’ ed. I’ve got my permit but I need to work on my driving. It’s not bad. I haven’t really thought about my dream vehicle.”

Dylan: “I have my permit,. It’s going great. I love driving. My dream car is a 1969 Chevy Chevelle.”

What was the hardest class of your freshman year?

Kandon: “Probably Biology.”

Dylan: “Biology”

What’s your favorite See sports movie?

Kandon: “Rocky” Dylan: “42”

Dylan, what’s it like catching these great pitchers Fayetteville has?

Dylan: “It’s a dream. I always dreamed of starting on this baseball field and with this team, but I didn’t dream of being a catcher. I am catching some of the best pitchers we’ve had here in Jack Schley and Chance Konvicka.”

“After the games my hand hurts a bit (from those guys, fastballs), but it’s good.”

Kandon you drove in the only run in Game 1 of the state semifinals, and drove in the tying run of Game 3. Talk about your approaches at the plate in the semifinal series.

Kandon: “I was looking for the fastball, and I tried not to think – just see ball, hit ball.”

Kandon, you have a family connection to Orsak’s Restaurant in Fayetteville right? What’s your favorite thing to order there?

Kandon: “It’s nice because I get free food, and I get to work there. My favorite thing to order is a cheese burger with onion rings ... My grandma owns it. I bus tables.”

Dylan: “My favorite thing to order there is the bacon cheeseburger with french fries.”