QUINTIN JAMES
Staff Writer
After being swept by New Paltz last week, the Fredonia men’s baseball team hit rock bottom as it couldn’t shake off the losing energy it’s had for weeks. Even though team members said they weren’t worried, with the season moving along, things needed to change — and change they did.
If they had any chance of making the playoffs, then this was the time for the Blue Devils to get back to their winning ways from earlier in the season.
Head Coach Matt Palisin understood the task at hand this week.
“We need to sweep Oneonta to keep our playoff chances alive, so it is very important,” said Palisin.
He knows what it takes for this team to win. All it takes is confidence and it can recover.
“Conference games are always competitive, so we are focusing on the nine games we have left,” said Palisin. “We played great and took a pair of games from the No. [8] team in the country, Oswego, who has only three losses. We need to get more guys on base and get back to playing aggressive baseball. We also started 3-1 in Myrtle Beach and 5-0 in Florida against outstanding competition. A little confidence will make a big difference.”
He went on to say that playoffs is the Blue Devils goal, but they have to take it one game at a time. They have some adjustments to make but they’re confident in their abilities.
The week started out with them facing lowly Oneonta who only had three wins on the season. Game one of the doubleheader went Fredonia’s way as it rolled to an easy 10-0 victory. Senior pitcher Zachary Jordon pitched a gem, allowing only four hits while striking out 11. The shutout was his third win of the season. Juniors first baseman Michael Prentice and third baseman Matt Wilhelm both had four hits apiece to lead the offense. Senior shortstop Kyle Sherman also had three hits which were part of an 18 hit day for the Blue Devils.
Game two of the doubleheader was a tight game which saw the Blue Devils buckle down and come out with an important 6-5 victory in a shortened game. Fredonia won off of a five run fourth inning that put it up for good. Oneonta came back for three in the 6th inning before junior pitcher Zach Lyman closed it down for his second save of the year.
The series finale was a thriller that saw the Blue Devils win in walk off fashion as they won 7-6 in 10 innings on a RBI single by junior second baseman Liam Kelly. Sophomore outfielder Joshua Crocetti led the charge with three hits, including one in the 10th inning that started the rally. This win put Fredonia at 5-7 in conference play and two games behind New Paltz for the final playoff spot.
After the good home vibes, the Blue Devils went on the road to face off against non-conference opponent Bethany College in West Virginia. The good play continued in game one of the doubleheader as freshman Ben Atkinson pitched a no-hitter en route to an 8-0 victory. Another freshman shined too as Jon Morrison, in his first collegiate game start, went four for four with five RBIs and caught the no-hitter.
Atkinson hit two batters and walked six, but didn’t allow for a single hit. It was the first no-hitter for Fredonia since 2012.
Game two of the doubleheader was more of the same as the Blue Devils’ pitching shut out Bethany again for a 6-0 win. Freshman pitcher Josh Koepsell got the win going four scoreless innings, allowing only three hits before sophomore outfielder Steve Zaprowski got the three inning save.
Junior second baseman Ciro Frontale led the Blue Devils with four hits, three of which were doubles. The Blue Devils had 26 hits combined in the doubleheader and looked like they found their groove back.
The last game of the week wasn’t as successful as previous games for the Blue Devils. They were on the road to face Mt. Aloysius College. After pitching great the last few games, they had a down game as they fell 17-5.
The Blue Devils scored two in the first inning on senior outfielder Quinn Danahy’s two run single, but they would surrender nine runs in the bottom half of the inning and couldn’t claw their way back. Even though their five game win streak was snapped, the Blue Devils are now in the hunt for a playoff spot with the season’s end near.
These last few home games will decide if the Blue Devils are home fishing or playing for a championship. The Blue Devils will continue SUNYAC play as they travel to Brockport this Friday and Saturday. Friday’s start time is 3 p.m., and then a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon.