By Tyler Semonich
The Springfield College Baseball team returned to Archie Allen Field for the first time in a week, to face a familiar foe, the Coast Guard Academy, in a NEWMAC matchup.
On a brisk Tuesday afternoon in early April that had consistent wind gusts up to 25mph, the Pride handled business, shutting out the Bears 4-0. The win brings the squad’s record to 15-7 on the season, and 4-1 in conference play.
Jack Richburg got the win on the mound for Springfield, dominating with complete control of both his fastball and off-speed pitches.
“Rich really set the tone for us, coming out giving us a great start and pounding the strike zone,” said Pride head coach Chad Shade.
Richburg often painted the corner of the plate with his four-seam to get ahead in the count, and got multiple batters for the Bears to chase his off-speed with two strikes, racking up four strikeouts and only allowing four hits through five scoreless innings. Senior right-hander Ryan Baker, and freshman Jake Gombotz came in to finish the job through the final four innings of play.
While Richburg was controlling the game on the bump, the Pride made sure to capitalize early in the batters box as well. In the bottom of the second, first baseman Luke Barone drove in the first run of the game, spraying a double down the right field line. Junior outfielder Tyler Casey followed it up by barrelling a ball to left field, driving in another and putting the Pride ahead 2-0.
Springfield added its only two other runs in the bottom of the fourth, when centerfielder Chris Balchius sliced a ball down the left field line for an RBI double. He almost got caught rounding third but a throwing error allowed him to score and bring the lead up to 4-0 for the Pride. Balchius led the way in the box, going 2-3 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI, while Barone and Casey also had two hits apiece and an RBI each.
The Pride are currently ranked third in the NEWMAC rankings, behind Salve Regina and MIT. Despite currently being one of the top teams in the conference, the team understands the importance of taking things one game at a time.
“These guys know and they talk about how every game matters,” Shade said. “We want to compete in this conference, it’s about attacking those mid week games and focusing on one win at a time. It’s about focusing on what’s in front of us, taking it one game at a time, that was Coast Guard today and now Western New England tomorrow.”
The Pride outlasted their crosstown rival 9-8 in their previous matchup earlier in the season.
Shade has his team playing with a unique type of energy that hasn’t been seen on Archie Allen Field in a few seasons. The communication and chemistry amongst the squad is evident in their play on the diamond, as the Pride advanced to 10-2 on their home turf this season. Although winning on your home turf is always a thrilling feeling, the squad looks to continue this success on the road, with a tough slate of eight away games in a row coming up.
The journey begins five minutes down the road, against previously mentioned Western New England, followed by a twin billing against NEWMAC opponent Clark on Saturday, and a trip down to New London, Connecticut, for the second leg against Coast Guard.
With a lot of baseball yet to be played, Shade has a team that is truly connected as the Pride hope to continue their success, one matchup at a time.
Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics