Lynnfield native and North Shore Navigators infielder Jonathan Luders is just happy to be back out on the baseball field, and he’s showing it.
Luders, who recently completed his freshman year at Division I Seton Hall University, is off to a hot start with the Navigators at both the plate and in the field. Through 11 games, Luders is batting .308 with a double and two RBI in 26 plate appearances and he’s put up a fielding percentage of 1.000 at second base with 16 putouts and 19 assists.
“It’s been a great start and it’s just been great to get back out on the field and play,” said Luders, who starred in baseball and soccer at Lynnfield High. “This is a great group of guys, and they’re all fun to be around.”
Luders credits the familiarity with his teammates — many of whom hail from the local area — as one of the reasons everyone is so comfortable.
“I think one of the main things is that a lot of us know each other and have competed against each other for years at the lower levels, and we’re all just comfortable around each other,” Luders said.
Luders had just barely gotten into his freshman baseball season at Seton Hall when the pandemic struck. The Pirates had played 14 games of the 2020 season, with Luders getting six appearances and one start. His first career hit was a two-RBI double against Milwaukee on February 16.
“It was tough at the time, we were only 14 games into the season,” Luders said of the shutdown. “We had gone to North Carolina, Virginia and California on road trips then came back and played our first home game. We had practice the next day and then everything got canceled, and I was home shortly after that.
“It didn’t really sink in until I got home and had a few days,” Luders continued. “It was a tough thing to deal with and you’re upset about it, but at the same time, it is what it is.”
Luders spent his time in quarantine wisely, working out at home and staying as sharp as he possibly could while away from the field.
“I was definitely fortunate that I had some supporting things around me that made the down time more manageable,” Luders said. “I have a home gym where I was able to do lifts and workouts and I also did some virtual workouts with teammates and friends. I also live in a cul-de-sac and I was able to do my sprints and running drills there without much trouble. But it was also nice when we were finally able to get back out on the field when Phase 2 started so I could get some actual work in.”
As for his goals this summer, Luders is simply trying to get better every day so he can be the best player he can be when he gets back to Seton Hall.
“I just want to do my best and build up that confidence,” Luders said. “Hopefully I can put up some good numbers this summer and go into my next college season with some good momentum.”
Luders and the Navigators are back in action Friday night (5) on the road against the Brockton Rox.