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BY MELINDA PETRE

In print | March 20, 2008

The Swarthmore baseball team (6-4) rebounded nicely from its hard-fought opening day loss, sweeping State University of New York Institute of Technology (0-2) 17-16 and 8-3 during its first doubleheader Sunday, March 9 in Tampa.

In the first game, Swarthmore trailed as it headed into the bottom of the seventh inning, but rallied to score 6 runs, earning its first win of the season. Garnet pitchers Justin Hughes ’10 and Neil Mejia ’11 earned their first collegiate wins in the first and second games respectively.

“and plenty of bad ones) but this year we go into every game the same way: play hard in order to win,” team co-captain Scott Dalane ’08 said.

The trip continued with a double-header Tuesday, March 11 against Cazenovia College (3-2). Swarthmore won the first game 11-8, after trailing 8-5 at the top of the seventh inning. Pitcher Zach Sinemus ’10 picked up the win, and Dalane his first save. Swarthmore lost the second game 12-7 after Cazenovia took an early lead.

Swarthmore swept Daniel Webster College (1-7) 16-0 and 6-5 on Thursday, March 13. Pitcher Andy Allen ’11 picked up his first career win, Issac Han ’11 made his first collegiate appearance and first baseman Matt Corso ’10 hit his first collegiate home run. In the second game, Ben Scheiderman ’11 got his first start and Mejia picked up his second win.

“Its great to play alongside [the freshmen], and based on the work they have put forth this year, our team feels collectively as confident with them in the spotlight in cruchtime as they would with a veteran player,” first baseman and team co-captain Travis Allen ’08 said.

On their final day of competition in Florida, Swarthmore lost 14-4 to Centenary College (1-2) on Friday, March 14, lead by Mejia’s pitching on a dismal and rainy afternoon.

Back at Swat, the Garnet shut out City College of New York 7-0 on Sunday afternoon. Pitchers Jimmy Gill ’10 and Sinemus shared the shutout against CCNY, which led Division III in hitting last year.

“The moments that stand out are a progression of more and more impressive performances on the field. We are of a mind to each day take a step forward, as individuals developing skills and as members of a team working within a well-defined system, and so far we have continued to advance,” Allen said.

Dalane shares his teammate’s enthusiasm. “The games were great, especially since we played a high level of baseball,” he said. “But the moments that stood out most to me were random times just hanging out with the guys in the hotel or at one of the many restaurants we ate at. Last spring break trip … priceless.”

Offensively, the team got important contributions from many players, which was especially satisfying for head coach Stan Exeter.

“This was a very successful trip and the best thing that came out of it was how the team used the time to bond and get to know each other as people and players,” Exeter said.

“The wins we have compiled so far have resulted from significant contributions from everyone on the team. It’s been a great team effort so far, and we look to maintain that mentality heading into conference play,” Allen said.

“What we expect of ourselves is to get better each day, enjoy our time on the field, play our hearts out and execute the system at the highest level we possibly can,” Dalane said. “Three come-from-behind wins are a good indication that we have learned never to stop fighting.”

“Our expectations? Play our best each day,” Exeter said.

Swarthmore suffered a tough loss on Tuesday to PSU-Berks 7-5. They play away at Philadelphia Biblical Thursday at 3.

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