Shane McMillan is going to have fun with you, but he’ll hardly break a smile or chuckle as he does it. The humor comes in the words he expels.
For example, you’re trying to do a straight interview with the La Jolla catcher, and teammate Andrew Cho, the left fielder, happens by. “I think leading by example is a big thing I key in on,” says McMillan. “I just do what Andrew Cho does, and that just sort of helps things out.”
Capturing a serious mood, “Mac” says, “I’m big on unity, friendship. It may sound juvenile. But laughing and giggling (are important).”
In another instance, the senior says in response to Coach Gary Frank’s description of him as the team jokester, “I like to act like I’m a jester dressed smartly, I guess you could say.” That’s for sure. “I think the giggling brings the vibes up and supports the team.”
The 2024 edition of the Vikings is led by McMillan’s batterymate, ace lefthander Cole Roberts, a finesse/command pitcher who holds a 9-3 record at this writing (La Jolla’s season still alive in the Division 3 playoffs), with a 1.62 ERA.
Vikes pitching coach Koa Scott, a La Jolla alum, marvels at Roberts’ dexterity: “Cole has been lock-down this year, getting both the school complete-game record as a starter (16 at this point) and also coming in and getting saves.”
Another cog is third baseman and third-slot hitter Hank Hansen, carrying a .340 average, 26 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases in 12 attempts, all team-leading totals. He crushed a mammoth grand slam over the left field fence on the Muirlands field early in the season, to turn a 4-1 deficit to El Camino into a 5-4 win on March 2. Frank: “He’s also closed a lot of games for us. Offensively, defensively, he’s been there for us.”
Ryan Kestler, hitting .313 right in front of Hansen in the order, “has been phenomenal at first base and has come up with timely hits for us all year long.”
Declan Kelly, one of six seniors, has filled the role as the number-two starter behind Roberts and has patrolled centerfield quite ably. He hits in the middle of the order.
Senior Corey Druse has drawn 23 walks, double anyone else on the team. Frank, completing his 21st year as head coach and 28th overall, comments: “He has been amazing, one of the top shortstops in the county. He’s been incredible in the leadoff spot. He’s added about 150 points (actually 95) to his average this season (to .287). He has been a leader on the field all season long. He has stepped into his own.”
Adam Lafever carries a respectable .276 at the plate and “he’s played all over the field for us”. Cho, another senior, is one of the team captains. “He’s just an outstanding all-around guy. He has played a good left field and he’s come up with some big hits for us,” the head coach says.
