By: Sarah DeWolfe | Co-Editor
As reigning Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Champions, the Seahawks shared the top spot in the CCC Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll with Endicott College.
Five games into the season, this team is proving that that No. 1 spot is rightfully deserved. Now 4-0 after a home victory against New England College on Wednesday, they outscore their opponents 41-15. (The game against JWU was postponed at the top of the 10th due to darkness.) They opened their season in a home game at Reynolds field (debuting a newly renovated bleacher/fan section) against Fitchburg State University.
The first 5 innings of the season opener came and went as the Seahawks amassed a 6-0 lead over Fitchburg. With one out on the board and Seahawks loading the bases, Head Coach Eric Cirella (’05) decided to send Freshman infielder Justice Welch to the plate as a pinch-hitter.
“I was prepared, I mean you always just have to be ready,” said Welch on getting in the game for the first time. “I’m not going to lie I was a little nervous, but once I got in the box I realized it’s just another baseball game. I was just excited to be in there and thankful for the opportunity.”
Welch followed a cardinal batting rule and allowed his 3-0 count to become 3-1. Had that pitch been a ball instead of a strike, we wouldn’t have been able to watch what happened next.
In his first collegiate at-bat, Welch connected for a grand slam that soared far beyond left field and increased the lead to 10-0.
via @SalveAthletics Twitter
“I hit it and I felt pretty good off the bat… I gave it a little look and saw it was not coming back and then once I realized it was over the fence, the feeling was amazing,” said Welch. “All my teammates were outside the dugout, they looked electric. When I got to home and saw them it just made me feel great.”
Photo by George Corrigan 
Photo by George Corrigan 
Photo by George Corrigan
Welch said that despite the bases being loaded, he didn’t feel much pressure standing in the box. He had a job to do whether he was on the field or in the dugout, and he was going to do his best to get it done for his team.
To make the moment all the sweeter, his family made the trip up from his hometown of Hackensack, N.J. for the game-not knowing if he was even going to play.
“They were just there to support me no matter what. They’re the best, I love them very much,” said Welch. “I’m glad they came, they were just there to support me and I enjoyed it.”
For this Seahawk team it isn’t all about the style of winning; they’re about working hard playing your part in each game. When asked if Coach Cirella had any words for him after his spectacular debut, Welch recalled, “He just said good job, way to get the job done.”
