With the pandemic canceling spring sports in 2020, many members of the Class of 2021 missed out on their first opportunity as upperclassmen to play on varsity athletic teams. Among those athletes was current Sixth Former Ben Fosnocht. Fosnocht has played Fords baseball since middle school, but his first chance to play varsity baseball came in his final year on campus.
Throughout the first couple of games of the season, Fosnocht admittedly struggled at the plate. That being said, after getting the hang of varsity baseball, Fosnocht immediately improved, putting together multiple-hit games against some of the toughest competition in Pennsylvania.
“What helped was just getting more comfortable seeing varsity pitching and focusing on not doing too much at the plate.”
Ben Foscnocht ’21
“I think it was a mindset thing, and I just needed to gain some confidence. This year has been the first chance I’ve had with varsity at-bats because we only had one game last year. What helped was just getting more comfortable seeing varsity pitching and focusing on not doing too much at the plate,” Fosnocht said.
On April 13, the team played its first Inter-Ac game in almost two years. Fosnocht was a big factor in the 5-3 win over Germantown Academy, batting 2-for-3 with multiple tremendous plays in the field. Among his two big hits was a three-run home run in the sixth inning, providing the Fords with some breathing room to finish out the win.
“I just remember seeing the ball go over the fence and screaming a lot. I wasn’t really thinking that much. I basically sprinted around the bases to see my teammates at home. It was a really great feeling,” Fosnocht said. “I don’t hit a lot of home runs, so it was awesome to be able to help the team in a way that’s unusual for me.”
Following the Inter-Ac victory, Fosnocht is still hungry for more. For Fosnocht, the win against GA was just one of many big moments that is yet to come for the Diamond Fords.
“My main goal is to win the Inter-Ac,” Fosnocht said. “That’s a common goal that we all share. For me, my personal goals overlap with what we want to accomplish as a team. I’ll be the first one to admit that I’m not the most talented player on this team. I don’t need to be the guy to get four hits per game. I just need to know my role and do what I can do to help.”
Fosnocht’s teammates only see his positive impact. Sixth Former Grayson Walker, who has been playing with Fosnocht for years, knows exactly what Fosnocht brings to the table.
“He’s the leader of the outfield,” Walker said. “He’s someone who’s always there ready to grind and make his teammates better. Whether it’s before the game making sure he and his teammates get in a proper warm-up or getting focussed during the game, Benny is constantly dialed in and ready to go.”
As the season progresses, Fosnocht is someone to keep an eye on. Even if his impact does not show up on the stat sheet sometimes, Fosnocht’s impact is irreplaceable.
Fifth Former Will Ferris knows Fosnocht is always ready on game day.
“He’ll always keep our heads up and bring the energy,” Ferris said.
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