Owen Ness watched his team jell late last season. The Whitehall senior second baseman also believed his own game came together as well.

The Zephyrs just missed the district playoffs with an overall 9-11 record. A late-season three-game losing streak severely crippled their chances, but they did rebound after an 0-4 start under first-year head coach Eric Schmitt.

Now, with nearly the entire cast back, the Zephyrs are off to a good start. Ness is optimistic that the team’s bonding will be a positive influence down the stretch.

“Last year, we had a couple of senior starters and a number of us who were playing varsity for the first time,” recalled Ness. “We had a new coach, and it really came down to us learning to play with each other.

“It was a matter of us coming together. Once we did, we were able to nearly make districts.”

Ness also began to feel comfortable in his game. He joined the Zephyrs last season after he transferred from Allentown Central Catholic.

“We all gained a lot of confidence with each other,” noted Ness. “As the year went on, I became more confident in my game, and I realized what I could do.

“We all feel very good about this season.”

Ness certainly has taken it upon himself to make his mark. Early on, he was the team’s leading hitter with a .444 average with four runs, four hits, three RBIs, and two doubles.

Schmitt certainly has seen a big difference.

“Owen is a natural leader on the field,” said Schmitt. “He has taken charge and is a good inspiration to the younger players.

“Owen is up for every game and practice. He is a five-tool second baseman.”

Since he was 12, playing the middle infield has been in his wheelhouse. He credits his uncle, John Barto, and his cousins for helping him learn the game.

“I started playing baseball when I could play T-ball,” noted Ness. “I had a bunch of cousins who played baseball when I was growing up. They and my uncle got me into the game.

“I played first base when I was younger, but then I gained some speed and made the move to the middle infield where I feel comfortable.”

Ness plans to attend East Stroudsburg University to continue his career and pursue a degree in exercise science. He attended camps and tournaments there with a traveling team, and it didn’t take him long to realize that it would be a good fit.

In the meantime, Ness is confident his team can continue their early success in the ultra competitive East Penn Conference.

“Coach Schmitt has prepared us well,” said Ness. “We believe we can compete with any team. We did very well in our scrimmages, and they really have helped us.

“We feel we are going to surprise some people, and we’ll be there at the end of the season.”