This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
04/29/2016 12:00 AMPlaying baseball at Valley Regional is a rite of passage for senior standout Arik Sypher. The sport has been passed down from generation to generation by his grandfather James Sypher II to his father James Sypher III and now to Arik, who’s one of the Warriors’ leaders on the diamond. Arik is in his fourth year as a starter and his second season as a captain for Valley.
“I started playing around four or five with my dad and my grandpa in the yard playing catch and hitting. I played Little League, then moved to the Cal Ripken League, which was more advanced because it was played on bigger fields and was more realistic to the professional game,” says Arik, a pitcher/third baseman. “I just love being on the field, getting dirty sliding into a base, or the feeling of getting a hit. Baseball is just an awesome game to play.”
Not only does Arik love to play the game, but he also plays it at an extremely high level. Last spring was Arik’s first season as a pitcher with the Warriors and he excelled by going 8-3 with a 1.47 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 62 innings on his way to earning Second Team All-Shoreline Conference honors. At the plate, he hit .277 with 18 hits, 11 runs scored, and 16 RBI. This season, both Arik and his team are out to solid starts. Arik already has two wins on the mound and is batting more than .300 for the Warriors, who own a record of 5-3 and are primed to once again make the Shoreline Conference Tournament and State Tournament.
“We have high expectations and, so far, we are pitching well. With Nash [Eppard] and Fletcher [Suedmeier], Colin Sparaco has been good in relief,” says Arik, a Chester native. “Our defense has been strong, but we aren’t hitting much. We need to pick that up. So far in our losses, we have been in games, but haven’t been scoring runs. Once our offense gets going and comes around, I think we can make a run.”
Arik is dedicated to excelling on the baseball field and has received a scholarship offer to continue his career at Division I Central Connecticut State University. Arik also does indoor track during the winter at Valley to stay in shape and increase his speed and agility for baseball—something that’s greatly appreciated by Head Coach Gary Marineau.
“In the offseason, he works his tail off to be a better player and a better person. Last year when I got here, the first time I saw Arik I immediately noticed how quick his arm was in the field and I said, ‘We have to see if this kid can pitch.’ He was unbelievable and became our No. 1, our ace. He’s a pitbull. If he pitched the day before and we have a lead in our game the next day, he’ll come to me and say he can go close this out if we need him. He wants the ball. That’s his mentality. I’ve been coaching over 20 years and can count on one hand players like that,” says Marineau. “The best way to describe him on the field is that he played all nine positions for us last year. He’s a tough kid, very talented. On the mound, he works quick, works the zone, he’s focused, and nothing stands in his way. He hates to lose and that is a very positive trait to me. As a person, he’s one of the top people you’ll ever meet—hardworking, thorough. He cares so much about people and the game. Arik is always respectful and treats people the way he would want to be treated.”
As hard as Arik works to be a great baseball player, he also hits the books with the same vigor. Arik has been a staple on the honor roll through his entire time at Valley and owns a work ethic that’s second to none.
“In my family, school comes first. My parents always told me that to keep me focused,” says Arik. “On the baseball field, my grandpa was a huge influence. He and my dad, we always played and they taught me and threw me batting practice. Last year, we all played together on the same team for Coach Marineau’s tournament, honoring his daughter Courtney to raise money for a scholarship in her name. That was really special to help raise money for a good cause and to play with my dad and my grandpa.”
Now as Arik enters the heart of his senior season with the Warriors, he has his sights set on helping them advance as far as they can.
“I think we are jelling as a team and have a lot of chemistry. We have a great group who cares about each other and we all have the same goal. We want to put a banner in the gym,” Arik says. “Being a senior and a captain, I try to lead by example, encourage my teammates, give 100-percent effort, and show people how to do things the right way—not tell them. I really try to set a good example, especially for the younger players. I love being out there on the field and I wouldn’t want to be out there with anybody else but my teammates. Coach Marnieau has really pushed me to be better in all areas of life, my parents have been so supportive and got me to where I am today, and my grandpa has always been there and I appreciate everything he did and still does.”