The Seton Hill University (SHU) men’s baseball program wrapped up its second season in 2005 with an AMC North Division record of 14-10 and an overall standing of 27-20. Winning 10 games more than in their inaugural season and playing in their first AMC Tournament, after last year’s first round loss in a Best of Three Series against MT. Vernon Nazarene, the Griffins expect to go further in this 2006 season.
Now entering their third season, the team’s outlook has changed considerably throughout the building of the program; the players are maturing and have now come to expect things from each other along with that level of maturity, according to Head Coach Mike Marizzaldi.
By Denishia Salter,
Sports Editor
The Seton Hill University (SHU) men’s baseball program wrapped up its second season in 2005 with an AMC North Division record of 14-10 and an overall standing of 27-20. Winning 10 games more than in their inaugural season and playing in their first AMC Tournament, after last year’s first round loss in a Best of Three Series against MT. Vernon Nazarene, the Griffins expect to go further in this 2006 season.
Now entering their third season, the team’s outlook has changed considerably throughout the building of the program; the players are maturing and have now come to expect things from each other along with that level of maturity, according to Head Coach Mike Marizzaldi.
�Our first season we wanted to be competitive, last year we realized we could compete and win, and now we expect to win. They all know this is likely their last chance at competing for a championship at the NAIA level,� said Marizzaldi. �This motivates many of our players, especially the juniors. I expect our kids to be 100percent dedicated from start to finish. If that happens, I think we�ll find ourselves going pretty far.�
What also separates this season from the last two, is that the baseball team can now play their home games at their real home, SHU, instead of at Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver County. With the addition of the artificial turf multi-purpose facility, the Griffins now have a field close to home. The field is not just for baseball however; men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s lacrosse and the men’s football team all play or practice on this field also. Incorporated is a temporary outfield fence that is put up in the spring once the soccer and football teams are finished to enclose the complex for baseball.
According to Marizzaldi, playing on the artificial turf is beneficial because it gives the team the ability to play through inclement weather. However, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to complete the new multi-purpose facility and accommodate athletes and fans. �We�re hoping to make some progress towards finishing the whole complex this summer,� Marizzaldi said.
Still, the baseball program is relieved to be playing on campus after having to travel 40 miles round-trip for practices and homes games the last two seasons and maintaining the field off-campus.
�Playing here on campus takes a huge burden off our players. We�ve had a loyal following of fans and parents the first two years, but there are so many people here at Seton Hill that have NEVER seen a baseball game,� said Marizzaldi. �I hope everyone makes it out this spring because I think we�re an exciting team to watch, especially this season.�
One of those people in the stands will be junior Josh Pratt, last year’s starting third baseman. After a line drive collision with a teammate on April 17, Pratt shattered the bones in his left leg and is now on the injured list, forcing him to support his team from the sidelines.
�At first, I was devastated. I remember this summer lying in bed I thought I would never play again. But now I�m accepting my role as an injured player and I am behind my team 100% and trying to support them that way even if I can’tbe on the field,� said Pratt.
This type of loyalty is exactly what Steve Long, junior pitcher and outfielder, believes his coach wants from his players.
�He’s the best coach I�ve ever played for. He expects a lot out of us and he wants commitment and dedication to the team. I try to lead my team by example,� said Long.
Senior Jeff Pingor has also adopted coach Marizzaldi’s policy.
�Coach says that we practiced hard last season and we got good results, so if we practice harder, we�ll get better results,� said Pingor.
And they do just that, practicing for three hours a day, with one day off a week and mandatory lifting rotations three days out each week.
This work ethic is necessary according to Long, and this year’s non-conference schedule is very competitive and the tournament in Pt. Charlotte, Florida; allows the Griffins to not only play in great weather at the start of the season. But also compete against tough teams from different regions in the country, including nationally ranked teams.
The players and coaches are excited about this season and now that the home games will be played here, hopefully the students and faculty of SHU will be too.
The only problem coach Marizzaldi has is who he’s going to play.
�As we�ve gotten better, my job has actually become more difficult – it’s very hard to figure out who to put on the field when we have so many good players and dedicated kids,� said Marizzaldi. �But that’s a good problem to have, I suppose.�
To view all articles by this writer click here.