Salve baseball aiming high

By: Kevin Webber
Posted In: Sports

The SRU baseball squad, along with every other spring team in the Northeast has had one big problem: rain. Rain has postponed many games and cancelled others leaving little time for teams to play.

“The time off due to the inconsistency of the weather has really hurt us” said senior Jim MacLean. But the team has won its last five games, all conference games, and looks to extend the streak and improve their season.

Prior to the first win of the current streak the team was working on a .500 record and little hope for a turn-around was in sight. “We had a team meeting to get things together and decide what needed to get done to win,” said MacLean. The teams captains, Damian Constantino, Kevin Linskey, and Nick D’Amato, called the meeting and “have been a big part of the six-game win streak,” said MacLean, “They helped get the team morale up again.”

“The team’s dedication needed to be realized and with all the inconsistencies; such as not knowing if we were going to play on any given day, it’s been tough. But the meeting helped the team to understand the dedication it will take to win,” said MacLean.

On it’s annual trip to Florida the team faired well. Florida is not about wins and losses it is about seeing players on the field, working on team chemistry, and enjoying a great opportunity.

Opportunity has helped define this year’s team. Freshmen pitching for example has been solid. “I can’t say enough about our freshmen this year.” said MacLean, “they are a huge impact on this team”. John Zucarro, for example, pitched well though earning the loss against William Peterson.

And other freshmen too have contributed. Joe Leafe, for example, is hitting .354 with 3 doubles and a home run and Rich Fuller right behind him at .333 and pitching well also with a 4-1 record.

Veterans such as Eric Cirella, who is seven stolen bases away from breaking Class of 2002 Jeff Wright’s all-time school record. Nick D’Amato and Daryl Murtha are turning their seasons around both with two home runs in the last two games. And Eric Tanguay has played exceptionally well after having to fill the shoes of Ryan Holleran.

Though the team has struggled early on and the weather has broken it’s stride it may prove to help them down the stretch. “We have probably the deepest rotation in the league,” said MacLean.

With the games already rescheduled and this week’s rainy forecast, the next final weeks of the season will be packed with games. Only a deep rotation can save a team from a packed schedule and that is exactly what SRU baseball is hoping will get them into the playoffs.

The next home game is a double-header against Gordon College scheduled for Thursday, April 15th.