By Chris Gionta
@Chris_Gionta
The Springfield College baseball team came into its Saturday doubleheader against Clark riding momentum. The Pride rallied for five runs in the eighth inning to tie it against the Cougars on Friday, then added two more in extra innings﹣taking the lead and eventually winning.
“We had some clutch hits in a big inning,” Springfield head coach Mark Simeone said. “[We] competed well and were tough in tough situations yesterday.”
Yet, despite the loss on Friday, Clark executed in every way in both games of a doubleheader sweep against the Pride. Neither game went down to the wire, as the first ended in an 8-4 score, and the Cougars dominated the second matchup 11-3.
“We didn’t play well in any of the phases of the game as compared to how well we’ve played them the past four games,” Simeone said.
The opening half of the matinée displayed some hard contact on Clark’s side. After scoring the game’s first run in the second inning, the Cougars compiled a pair of singles, a double and a triple in the third frame. That barrage scratched four runs across and gave Clark a 5-0 lead.
Springfield responded with two runs off a Joe Traversa RBI triple and a Michael Barrett RBI single. However, the short burst represented most of the timely hitting the Pride displayed in the game. They did not have a problem reaching base, but left 12 men stranded while only driving four runs in.
The Cougars added a pair in the sixth inning, and kept their lead to four or more the rest of the game.
In the second game, Clark scored at least one run in eight of the nine innings played. It was partially due to the Cougars’ hot bats, but defense also played a factor. Springfield committed six errors throughout the game.
The Pride started well offensively with three runs in the first two innings, but Clark starting pitcher Maxwell Gitlin settled in with five shutout innings on two hits, no walks and seven strikeouts to finish his outing.
Springfield now stands at 5-8 in the conference, which puts them in third in the NEWMAC West. The road to earning a spot in the conference tournament will be a tough one, and the Pride are determining how they can get there.
“One of our captains said ‘We gotta straighten ourselves out and get back to work on Monday, but use tomorrow as a day of reflection,’” Simeone said. “To go get a very tough road win, come back on a Saturday, and not find a way to win one of two games on your home field to win a series is a tough pill to swallow.”
Springfield returns to competition on Tuesday on the road against Emerson at 3:30 p.m., and come back to Archie Allen Field on Friday against Coast Guard at 3:30 p.m.
Photo: Springfield College Athletics