Inclement weather puts a delay on BSU baseball season

04/09/2015

By AJ Pascuzzo

Comment Staff

Senior left-handed pitcher Chris Pessotti (#30) started on the mound April 1 in the Bear’s first game in nearly three weeks at Johnson & Wales University. Photo courtesy of BSUBears.com

The Bridgewater State University baseball team has had to overcome many obstacles this season, and they have only played twelve games.

When winter hits, spring athletes are forced to practice inside until the weather cooperates and the field conditions are safe enough for game play.

Winter pummeled Eastern Massachusetts this year and altered the start to the 2015 Bear’s season.

After the annual spring break trip to Vero Beach, Fla., the Bears came home with a 3-6 record.

The Bears arrived home on the 14th of March and wouldn’t play another game until this past week on April 1 against Johnson & Wales (RI).

The Bear’s first appearance outside on their home field for practice was Mon., April 6. Due to rain, their first home game that was scheduled for April 7 against Suffolk has been postponed.

Senior captain and first baseman Nick White comments that the weather is a huge issue regarding the start of their season.

“The season has definitely been tough with the weather we have had and the record we currently are at (3-9),” White said. “Its definitely frustrating that it is almost mid-April and we haven’t had a game on our field yet.”

The Bears have lost a lot of close games in the final innings including their last three games. A matchup against Johnson & Wales and a double header against Salem State, which the Bears were walked off on.

“We have played a lot of close games and have not been able to hold our leads,” said White. “We have not been able to get the key hits and pitches necessary down the stretch, however we still have a lot of games left to play and once we string together more consistent games we will be a tough team to beat.”

Not being able to get the full effect of the actual diamond has a huge effect on the way teams play.

With the weather issues effecting the pitching staff, right handed junior pitcher David Holmes is expecting a promising season moving forward as well.

“Given the weather, I think our pitching will step up with all the games we are going to have in such a short period of time,” said Holmes. “We have a deep staff with experience.”

A deep staff indeed the Bears have with experienced pitchers in senior Chris Pessotti, senior Ryan Hayward, junior Shane Surette and senior Adam Mullen.

“Our goal this year is to win the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) and I think we have the talent to do so because we have a lot of returning players with experience with several new key additions.”

The Bears look to capture a pair of conference wins at home vs. Westfield State University on Wed., April 8 and another pair on Sat., April 11 at Worcester State University.

AJ Pascuzzo is a Comment Staff writer.

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