After 12 straight wins, the baseball team seems to have recovered from what was an uncertain future after going 0-3-1 on its annual spring break trip. As they head into the NESCAC championships, the reinvigorated Jumbos have left no doubt in their own minds or the minds of their fans about their capabilities.
Although victories against out of conference teams are desirable, NESCAC wins are what matter. NESCAC baseball is tough as is, but when a team has high expectations to live up to, it makes the season that much more difficult. Last season's baseball team made the playoffs and finished second to Williams College.
"The expectations were definitely high because most of the team was coming back from last year," junior shortstop Brian Shapiro said. "We felt this was going to be a special year."
The baseball team has not disappointed fans since the spring break trip. The squad tore through NESCAC competition, suffering only one defeat. With that near flawless record, the team earned home field advantage for the NESCAC playoffs.
"It definitely feels good," Shapiro said. "We are all comfortable playing on that field and the fact we don't have to travel is better too."
The Jumbos success was an all-around team effort, from pitching to hitting. With all of the members of the team multi-talented on the field, leadership off the field gives the team an edge.
"Everyone is aware of the standards of the team and the responsibility everybody has on the team. We are only strong as the weakest guy," junior tri-captain Evan Zupancic said. "It's a team game, you can't win with individuals. With it being a team game, everybody has to lead at some point."
When speaking of leadership, it is difficult to talk of any college team without mentioning its seniors, and the seniors on this squad have done an impeccable job using their experience to lead. Senior tri-captain Dan Callahan was under much pressure coming into the season, having been the NESCAC player of the year last season. As a true leader does, Callahan stepped up to post stellar numbers once again and broke numerous career records.
Senior tri-captain Steve Lapham has also shown a lot of heart all season. Lapham's performance on the spring break trip against North Carolina Wesleyan (3/21) might have turned the season around, as the squad broke their four game winless streak, earning its first victory of the season. Teammates find his leadership irreplaceable and his record (1-2, 3.94 ERA) does not reflect what he means to this team.
Perhaps the most underrated player on the team is senior first baseman Tim Ayres. With a quick glove and equally quick bat, Ayres has served as protection for Callahan and Shapiro all season, as well as making a name for himself. Ayres is batting .327 with 24 RBI.
Senior outfielder Brian Neville has not had the same amount of playing time as his classmates, but he practices as much. Neville is an example of how leadership does not always have to come from the field. To support teammates in any given role is a characteristic that is hard to find in many individuals.
"It's nice to have a year like this for our seniors because they have been here for four years," Shapiro said. "They put in the time and hopefully we can take advantage of this opportunity for them."
This season's Jumbos have a chance at breaking the school's all time mark in wins (27), as the team is currently at 25-7-1 and 10-1 in the NESCAC. Any team that is going to see the Jumbos in the playoffs will be in for a dogfight.
Whether down one or 14, the squad will not fold. Coach John Casey formats the Jumbos' practice schedule to condition them for this time of year. Although the team has only played one or two teams from the NESCAC west, its out of conference schedule is as good as any around.
"Coach makes the schedule for us so we're playing the best teams around and if we're not on top of our game we're going to get beat," Shapiro said. "That's what happened a couple of times, but luckily we were able to bounce back."
Unlike previous weeks, every team the Jumbos can face in the playoffs has had the opportunity to rest. With the Tufts as the number one seed, competition will be gunning for them. Tufts has already taken two of three from NESCAC east second seed, Trinity College and three of four from NESCAC West first seed, Wesleyan College. The team opens the post-season with a hope to exact revenge on Williams College.
"None of the teams have played in over a week. We are going to be facing the best pitching," Shapiro said. "All of the games are going to be tight, so we can't make mistakes. We have to take advantage of any opportunities the other team gives to us."
While some teams would be content with a NESCAC playoff birth, the Jumbos made the playoffs last season and want an NCAA birth this season. Through leadership and overall talent, the Jumbos feel anything less than a NESCAC title would be a letdown.
"I think it's gone pretty well so far. Once its all said and done, what matters is how we turn out in terms of NESCACs," Zupancic said. "We have played well until now and this is the endnote, this is the final task to how we are as a team. If we go out and play the way we are supposed to play and are capable of playing, then we should win and move on."
