By Tyler Semonich
The Springfield College baseball program is off to a blazing start this season, currently sitting at 6-1. All six of those wins have come after the Pride dropped their first game of the season to Amherst, with this six-game win streak marking an impressive opening act of Chad Shade’s tenure as Springfield’s head coach. The Pride have earned several key wins during this stretch, including a doubleheader sweep over Williams College this past Sunday – the first time Springfield has beat Williams since 2020 – and knocking off previously-undefeated Brandeis on Wednesday in a comeback victory.
Springfield has been excelling in all facets of the game, and the energy and chemistry throughout the team is evident across Archie Allen Field. That team connectivity has translated to the diamond, with great all around play coming from many different guys. But to say the Pride’s bats have been hot would be an understatement. The surge at the plate has been led by junior second baseman Nathan Garafalo, who is hitting .407 on the year with 10 RBI’s, as well as a cycle of multiple base hits, a double, triple and a homerun.
“My approach at the plate has been to keep it simple. Coach Shade has done a great job emphasizing a great two-strike approach to our offense, he also has done a great job instilling confidence in us,” said Garafalo.
Graduate outfielder Michael Lepere has also been barreling the ball all over the field. Lepere, being with the program for five years through all of the ups and downs, believes this season the team is truly bought into the process.
“I truly believe that every player in our program, from the everyday starter to the player who has not yet seen the field, has bought into what the coaches are teaching,” Lepere said.
Lepere also praised Shade for the commitment and value he has brought to the team.
“Playing at Springfield College, Coach Shade understands what it takes to win here. The coaching staff works tirelessly to ensure our team is mentally and physically prepared for every situation in the game. It’s the small things that matter,” Lepere said.
The “small things” have played a crucial role in the Pride’s success early on, with numerous stolen bases, executed bunts and pick-offs, clear communication on the field and great pitching from the senior class of this team all the way down to the first-years.
Coach Shade emphasizes the importance of sharp play all-around, and ensures that his team is prepared for any situation on the diamond.
“We spend a lot of time on it, we take tremendous pride in the little things,” said Shade. “Whether it’s bunt defense, first and thirds, our pick-offs, cuts and relays.”
Although the team has been executing fairly well these last few games, Shade and his squad know there is always work to be done.
“There’s absolutely still work we need to do. We need to execute better on both sides of the ball,” Shade said. “We have some moments where we don’t execute, and I think a lot of those mistakes come from experience. That’s why we try to simulate every situation we can at practice, and our coaching staff does a great job getting these guys ready.”
Although the bats have been hot to start the season and the little things have been executed, runs don’t matter without a great collective pitching staff to back them up. Junior right-hander Josh Mayo took the bump for the second game of the double header against Williams, and never looked back. Mayo, supported by a collective effort from the defense, dominated on the mound. He went the distance, only allowing three runs, striking out four and having command of his whole pitching utility throughout the game.
“Getting ahead and staying ahead in counts is something the coaches have really had us focus on,” said Mayo.
Mayo also noted that the success early on this season is in huge part because of the leadership of the team.
“We have a lot of guys who have stepped up into big roles and have been leaders by example,” said Mayo. “One of our biggest team values is to compete. Coach Shade has made it a huge thing on our team to compete your hardest on the field, in the classroom, and in the weight room. Competing with each other is only going to make you better.”
The success of this team goes far beyond the barrels, diving plays and dominant pitching. It is a collective effort, through a motivational first-year head coach, leadership throughout all classes and a shared set of values and goals.
Springfield will look to keep the momentum rolling down in Florida, with a jampacked spring break slate featuring six games in five days.
(Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics)