Spring is in the air, and all around the United States Major League ball club’s have reported to their facilities for the start of spring training. But just as the defending World Series Champions (I’m looking at you David Freese) are settling into the cozy confines of Roger Dean Stadium, the Billikens are leaving the “Sunshine State” a bit better off than when they first arrived.
Sweeping Mt. St. Marys four games to none, the Billikens awoke the offense from its anemic slumber, outscoring their opponents 37-18. This was a huge improvement from the last four games when the Billikens were outscored 17-16. In the first game of the series, the Billikens offense powered them to a 13-11 victory. In that game the Bills notched a total of 15 hits and 10 RBI’s, four of which came from senior catcher Connor Gandossy. Jerry Mancuso got the win notching his thirteenth career victory. The Bills poured on five runs in the seventh inning, two in the eighth, and a solo blast from junior, Alex Kelly, in the ninth. That was the second home run in two games that Kelly has belted. The Bills took game two of the series with a score of 2-1. Alex Allemann went the distance, pitching seven innings with only two hits and an earned run. The Bills took Game 3 by a score of 10-5, amassed 10 walks and had only one extra base hit. Pounding singles through the gaps, the Bills sparked the offense in second inning and held on to win. Game four, the final game of the series should be seen as the crescendo. The Billikens pounded Mt. St. Mary’s 12-1. Nine of the team’s 12 hits came from three players. Alex Kelly (you’ll hear about him later) went 3-4 with a double. Sophomore pitcher, Clay Smith grabbed the W with 5.0 innings of solid pitching, allowing only one hit while notching four strikeouts.
It seems as though someone in the A-10 was paying attention, as Alex Kelly was named “The Atlantic 10 Baseball Player of the Week.” During this four-game series, Kelly went 7-12 (.583), scored eight runs, smacked a home run and a double, and plated an RBI. Obviously well-deserving of that honor, this type of play will be needed as the Billikens head to Surprise, AZ to play in the Coca-Cola Classic. During this week, the Bills will square off against some of the best programs in Collegiate Baseball. The Bills start the tournament with a game today against the eleventh nationally-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils and continue to play against a consistently tough opponent in Oregon State. These upcoming games will give a good indication on the strength of the Billikens but are by no means a measuring stick for success against the A-10.
