By Tucker Paquette
@tpaquette17
A day after losing both games in a disappointing doubleheader where both the weather and on-field product carried a similar gloomy feel, the Pride flipped the script on Sunday, splitting a sunny afternoon double-header with Westfield State.
The first of the two seven-inning games saw Springfield explode offensively – winning 10-1 on the back of a six-run first inning. In game two, the Pride lost a nail biter to the Owls, falling 4-2.
Game one’s win not only moved the Pride to 2-2, but it also marked head coach Mark Simeone’s 500th career coaching victory. Despite reaching a historic milestone, Simeone believes credit should be given to the players for Sunday’s win and the way they responded to Saturday’s adversity.
“I’ve never thrown, caught, pitched or hit in any of those games,” Simeone said. “Players win games. I’m really proud of the way we competed today. You saw us play yesterday, [we] had a tough day and we came out like a house on fire today. [We also] played really well and battled our rear ends off in the second game.”
Simeone believes a large part of the Pride’s fast start today, with six runs in the bottom of the first inning, had to do with an assertive approach at the plate.
“They [were] aggressive,” Simeone said. “We were in attack mode in the batter’s box and on the bases. [We wanted to] go get after them early and set the tone of the game.”
With regard to Simeone’s point about Springfield’s baserunning, he thinks the makeup of his team’s lineup allowed them to put Westfield State’s defense in stressful situations.
“We had some real fleet-footed guys in the lineup in that first game and put pressure on the defense with good speed,” Simeone said. “We had that rundown and stole a run from [it].”
Another component of the Pride’s offensive attack that was clicking on Sunday was the variety of contributors in their lineup. The first five batters in the game one order – left fielder Adam Fine, third baseman Joe Traversa, shortstop Michael Barrett, catcher Ryan Sorgi and center fielder Michael Lepere – combined for nine hits and six runs batted in. Shortstop Ryan Delaney added a two-run home run in game two, as well.
Just one day after outfielder Luke DiMauro carried the load offensively, Simeone believes this developing balance and depth in the Pride’s lineup not only bodes well for the team now, but also moving forward.
“We had different sides of the order hit better in different games, but when we put it together, we’ve got some strong hitters up and down the lineup,” Simeone said. “We’re going to have different [lineup] combinations because we get more than nine guys that can play.”
In addition to the Pride’s offense taking a significant step forward on Sunday, they also received improved starting pitching performances.
In game one, Nate Kelleher-Mochak tossed five strong innings, surrendering just three hits and one run in the process. Later on, Mason Veronezi gave the Pride four solid innings of four-run ball.
Simeone was pleased with the forceful mentalities of his starters today.
“I liked both of their approaches,” Simeone said. “Kelleher-Mochak is a competitor, as is Veronezi. Mason got hit around a little bit in one inning, but came back and threw two strong innings after that. I think both those guys did a really nice job and they’re going to be tough on the mound.”
Kelleher-Mochak caught Simeone’s attention early this morning, providing him with a sign of what was to come on the mound.
“He was here at eight o’clock this morning when I got here,” Simeone said. “He was in attack mode. He was ready to compete and pick us up today after a tough day.”
In the case of Veronezi, taking the ball in his first collegiate appearance represented a new challenge. Simeone was pleased with Veronezi’s performance and poise – specifically the way he fought through some turbulence in a three-run second inning for Westfield State.
“That’s an impressive outing for a first year player,” Simeone said. “Getting out there, getting a start and adjusting to that adversity in [one] inning. He [continued] to pitch aggressively and with confidence.”
The Pride will look to carry their newfound momentum with them as they travel to Florida next weekend for the RussMatt Baseball Invitational. They will play seven games on this trip, the first of which is set for Sunday, March 10 at 3:45 p.m. as part of a doubleheader against Central College.