By Kiley Fischer
Sports Editor
After winning a conference title last season, Seton Hill University’s [SHU] baseball team is well on their way to another title. With a 20 game winning streak this season, the Griffins’ confidence has been a large factor in their success.
“Our team has played with a tremendous amount of confidence this year,” head coach Marc Marizzaldi said. “They know that they have a conference title to defend and proving that last year was not a matter of luck, but rather a matter of us competing on a national level.
The veteran leadership also contributed to the team’s success. “[The] returning eight seniors this year has helped carry over the work ethic and mindset of championship baseball,” Marizzaldi said.
10 freshman have spent their first season on the roster at SHU adjusting to the heightened level of play. The majority of the underclassmen have been playing at a junior varsity level, but that doesn’t stop them from learning the ropes.
“All of the freshmen have shown tremendous improvement throughout the year. The only expectation we have for our freshmen their first year is to learn as much as possible about playing at this level, through watching, listening and learning from the upper classmen.
“They have all done a great job learning, which will help them next year when they all play much bigger roles for us,” said Marizzaldi.
The team found itself in the national rankings for the first time this season as well, but according to Marizzaldi, the rankings aren’t what matter.
“We honestly are not concerned at all about the rankings because it is something we cannot control. It’s gratifying that our program is being recognized on a national level, but our guys play for each other, not for the voters or the polls,” he said.
“It’s not one or two players who carry the team, but a full out effort by everyone…
We are never depending on just 1 or 2 players. I think this reflects the players’ commitments to just doing their jobs with their best efforts each and every day,” said Marizzaldi.
After a double header on May 4, the Griffins close out their season on the road at Alderson Broaddus on May 8.
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