New baseball team gaining momentum
By Matt Tidman, a senior from Wilmore.
WILMORE, KY—With 23 freshmen, the newly reinstated Asbury College baseball team may be the youngest in their conference. But that doesn’t matter to the players.
Faced with a 1-5 record, the Eagles went into their game against Georgetown (Ky.), previously the Mid-South Conference winner, with momentum that had been building since their close games with the University of the Cumberlands five days before. And they did something that even the team members didn’t expect. They won.
It all comes back down to the fact that the Eagles are playing in good games, according to Head Coach Lee Rogers. After their very first game, the Eagles have consistently played close games of baseball losing by only a few runs in the last innings.
While the record may not show it, the Eagles have consistently played competitive baseball, according to Rogers. “[The players] have been in every game they’ve played so far,�? he said.
For players like Travis McConathy ’11 and McKenzie Carter ’11, these games have been great learning experiences. McConathy in particular said that this year was about showing that a team comprised mostly of freshmen players can “get it done.�?
“We wanted to show [people] that we can win with a team of 23 freshmen,�? McConathy said. He said that the team has been building a good momentum to this point and is ready to start showing what the players are capable of.
McConathy said a major factor of these early games has been “youth,�? high school baseball players adjusting to college baseball play style. He said that the team has already learned much about how to play college baseball.
Carter also pointed out this need to perform at a different level when playing college sports.
“It’s imperative that you come out with your A game,�? he said. He also said that the team members know they can win games.
Rogers is looking forward to what the team is capable of the rest of this season and said it was still to early to make any predictions. He listed goals for this first season as being competitive in conference play and being a “.500 team.�?
If the team holds onto its momentum, there is no telling how the season will turn out.
“We’re already playing and beating teams that we shouldn’t be beating,�? Carter said.
The baseball team’s next scheduled home game is March 14 at 3:30 p.m. against Oakland City (Ind.).
Released: March 14, 2008
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