LYNNFIELD — There’s no doubt that Jonathan Luders left his mark on the diamond during his time at Lynnfield high school.
Luders helped lead the Pioneers for four seasons, capping his senior year off last spring with an impressive season both at the plate and at shortstop that earned him Cape Ann League Player of the Year honors.
Continuing his baseball career at Seton Hall, Luders saw his role on the field change but he embraced the chance to improve his game.
“I was just trying to break into the lineup whatever way I could,” Luders said of his freshman season with the Pirates. “It was a good learning experience. We had some great seniors in the middle of the infield showing me the ropes. That was good to have. You get out of high school, come here and everyone on the team is skilled. It’s a change but it’s been really good.”
Luders appeared in five of 14 games this season with one start. Playing primarily at second base, he recorded two putouts and through seven plate appearances he had an on-base percentage of .429 with one hit and one run scored.
“I was hoping to get my chances any way I could and help the team, whether that meant playing second base or getting a chance to hit,” Luders said.
But before he could carve out any kind of familiar role, Luders and his teammates, along with all spring athletes, saw their season cut short due to COVID-19 cancellations.
“It didn’t hit me until a few days ago,” Luders said. “We had just gotten back from a trip to California that week. Wednesday was our first home game in a new stadium so the whole team was excited. We won big and were riding high off of it. That Thursday we got the message that games were starting to get canceled, then had a team meeting and we went home that Saturday. It changed fast. FaceTime and Zoom have been helpful with talking with teammates. I really feel bad for the seniors.”
Off the field, Luders majors in psychology and joins college students around the country who have to adjust to online classes this semester.
“The teachers have been understanding,” Luders said. “I think as a country we have to do what we can. I don’t know all the facts but if this is what it calls for then we have to adjust to it.”
Fortunately, Luders still has baseball to look forward to this year if things get back to normal, signing to play with the North Shore Navigators this summer.
“I tried to play with them last year after my senior year,” Luders said. “But they took four freshmen pitchers and one outfielder and I’m pretty sure they can only take five so they already had their guys. It worked out for the best though. I ended up playing with the Wakefield Merchants in the Intercity League and I loved playing for them.
“Then this year they reached out to my assistant coach,” Luders said. “He asked me if I would be interested in playing for them and I said definitely. It’s right in my backyard so that was good.”
Preparing for the summer with the college season cut short and being stuck at home is a challenge, but Luders plans on making due however he can, particularly while working on hitting.
“I can workout in my basement,” Luders said. “There are some options for working on ground balls and fielding but I haven’t been able to hit as much. Hopefully I can get onto a field with my Dad and do that. Everyone’s in the same boat and I’m just taking it one step at a time.”
As for his future at Seton Hall, Luders hopes he can continue to grow on and off the field when he gets back on campus in New Jersey.
“I think I want to develop as both a person and a player,” Luders said. “On the field, I’ll keep developing my game and help the team however I can.”
