Lake Central junior Connor Friesema tends to compartmentalize his two sports.
Friesema is a third baseman in baseball and a defenseman in hockey.
“I balance both of them,” he said. “I was able to come to pretty much every baseball practice during hockey season because they’re at two different times of the day. Baseball’s right after school, and hockey’s late at night.
“When I’m in hockey season, I focus on hockey more. Then once baseball comes around, I get fully locked in on baseball.”
In at least one sense, Lake Central baseball coach Mike Swartzentruber wouldn’t mind some overlap.
“I’d like to see him carry over some of that hockey mentality on the baseball field — hard-nosed, tough,” Swartzentruber said. “But I think we’ll get there. He’s a good kid. He has a bright future for us. I’m excited to see what he gives us this spring.”
Friesema has been getting his bearings in his first varsity season with the Indians (2-0). He was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored before their Duneland Athletic Conference opener against defending Class 4A state champion Valparaiso on Tuesday.
“It’s been great,” Friesema said. “I learn a lot of stuff every day at practice. I’m always learning new stuff and obviously just facing better competition. I feel like I’ve gotten better throughout these last two games.”
Friesema already has experienced success in hockey. He was a key player as Lake Central reached the Class 2A state championship game in the Indiana State High School Hockey Association in late February.
Friesema had an early setback, suffering a separated left shoulder in October and missing six weeks. He was cleared to return to the ice in December.
Splitting time between his travel team and the school team, Friesema posted a combined 20 goals and 18 assists in 46 games, including 10 goals and six assists for the Indians.
“It was a great year,” he said. “We really turned it around from last year.”
No stranger to winning ways, Lake Central baseball has maintained a consistently high level. The Indians won the 4A state title in 2024 and shared the DAC title last season.
Senior outfielder Keegan O’Bryan, an Indiana-Kokomo recruit, believes Friesema, who also would like to play a sport in college but isn’t sure which one, can contribute to another productive season.
“Connor brings a lot of energy,” O’Bryan said. “He’s always been a quiet kid, but I feel like at the end of the day, the kid works hard. He does work his butt off. Having that in our dugout and having that in our program can really help and inspire others. So having Connor around is great.
“One thing, I just want him to speak up a little bit more, crack out of his shell a bit. But I feel like him being on the team and playing a year of varsity, next year is going to be extremely bright for him. I’m excited to see how he grows over the next year.”
Swartzentruber also sees room for growth from Friesema.
“I’m getting to know him a little bit more,” Swartzentruber said. “He was on the JV last year, so I’m trying to get him out of his shell a little bit, communication, talking — not only with me but just on the field in general.
“He’s played well at third. He’s been a little timid at the plate, but he’s gaining confidence.”
Friesema expressed confidence in the Indians.
“We have a lot of energy at practice always,” he said. “We execute well. I just want to compete every game and put together good at-bats. Then when I’m in the field, I just want to make plays — all the routine plays and then make some diving plays every once in a while.”