By Isabel Gerheim
Seton Hill Men’s Baseball huddled as a group before a matchup. Photo provided by Kassidy White.
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) 75th anniversary has impacted Seton Hill sports in numerous ways. Not only for the teams that have been around for a longer duration of the conference, but also for the younger teams on campus, one being the men’s baseball team.
While the PSAC league is looking back at 1951, Seton Hill is looking forward. While the team’s 19-0 PSAC conference start captures headlines, it’s only half the story.
With a staggering 26-2 conference record, the team has proven their brand of excellence isn’t just limited to winning, it boils down to the standard they bring to every dugout they enter.
Sophomore and infielder, Brady McGuire stated, “Baseball has been one of the most notable conferences in the Atlantic region. Our start kind of speaks to the volume of how well teams are in this conference and how much respect the PSAC has.”
With the undefeated start to the season, McGuire highlighted the importance of their team goals that help them get through any part of the season.
“The external factors are what they are. We show up every day. We play our game and whatever happens after that happens. We’re going to control what we can and give it our all,” McGuire said.
Head Coach Marc Marizzaldi (left) and Sophomore Brady McGuire (right) shared a moment of sportsmanship during a matchup. Photo provided by Kassidy White.
Starting a season undefeated in conference during such a diamond anniversary can come with much pressure for athletes.
“It’s one of those milestone seasons that it can be pretty cool to do something special during it, but I would say honestly we compete for each other. We just want to give our best for the team and whatever happens at the end of the season happens,” McGuire stated.
A motto that McGuire upholds throughout the season is that, “the better team doesn’t always win. The team that plays better always wins. You could go out there and play the best team in the PSAC or the worst team and you can get beat, but if you can show up everyday and give it your all, then the result will take care of itself.”
Support and drive doesn’t just come from teammates and friends. Head Coach, Marc Marizzaldi, has been with Seton Hill baseball since its addition to Seton Hill in 2004.
“We wouldn’t be here without Coach Maz. [He] started this program from nothing,” McGuire stated.
Seton Hill Men’s Baseball supporting teammates in the dugout during a matchup. Photo provided by Kassidy White.
Not only does McGuire give gratitude to the success in the season during this milestone season to his coach, he also gives much credit to those who have been in the program in the past.
“All the guys who have come before us, who’ve put in the hard work to get this program where it is to today, it’s our job to uphold the standards that have come before us. Everyone that puts on a Seton Hill or Griffins jersey before, you play the game all out to a certain level of intensity, you owe it to everyone who came before you,” McGuire said.
While the anniversary celebrates 75 years of past legends with records set in stone, Senior Jack Whalen is actively rewriting electric stats–holding the conference record for 133+ stolen bases.
“We’re trying to leave a legacy that other teams can look back on and say great things about this team and just be talked about. Not just for how we play on the field but how we are off the field as well, how we are connected as a group as just being good human beings as well,” Whalen stated.
Whalen’s record not only highlights a Seton Hill record but marks a milestone for the PSAC’s diamond year.
“This is a very historic and amazing conference to be a part of. To be
looked at as one of the top teams in the PSAC right now is something I’ll look back on,” Whalen stated.
During this successful season, Whalen and his team go by the mantra: “FUEGO.” Standing for fearless, uncommon, energy, given, and ownership.
Senior Jack Whalen up to bat. Photo provided by Kassidy White.
“It’s how we want to live out each day, whether that’s in the classroom, on the baseball field, or just walking around campus,” Whalen stated.
FUEGO has been one of the connection points and drivers for the program.
“This is probably one of the most connected I’ve felt as a team. A connected team will get you farther than a talented team,” Whalen stated.
“It feels that we’ve been a part of the PSAC for all 75 years and we haven’t. Seton Hill has really left an impact on the PSAC,” Whalen stated. Graduating this spring, Whalen continues to be a leader for the team until his season finishes.
“I just try to serve as a leader to the team, try to pass on all the knowledge I’ve gained through my four years here and just try to leave a legacy,” Whalen stated.
While the PSAC is celebrating its 75 years, Marizzaldi has been at the helm of the program for nearly a third of that time. He has not only witnessed the PSAC’s history but he is the one who built the Griffin’s place within it.
“The PSAC has always been a highly competitive and respected conference nationwide in the sport of baseball,” Marizzaldi stated. “And at most points of the season, you’ll find multiple teams from the PSAC in the Top-25, including us this year. We’re striving every year to compete at a national level.”
During the undefeated start to the season, Marizzaldi stated that while winning can be exciting, it also comes with difficulty.
“Winning every season in the PSAC in our sport is as challenging as it gets in Division II baseball,” Marizzaldi said, “but that standard has been set by many Seton Hill teams of the past two decades. I wouldn’t call our program a powerhouse, but we strive for excellence every season.”
Along with McGuire and Whalen, Marizzaldi too follows unwritten rules and mottoes to strive for success in the program.
“Doesn’t Matter, Get Better. Whether we’re winning or losing, our daily objective is improvement. The baseball season is long, and has many ups and downs. If and when we focus on the process of getting better, we enjoy the journey so much more and success will take care of itself,” stated Marizzaldi.
Legacy is a revolving topic for this anniversary year. For the baseball program, legacy is defined by more than game situations.
“I’m hopeful the legacy of this team is defined by their character, not by their wins and losses. Our players do an outstanding job in the classroom, and they’re active in the community as well,” Marizzaldi said. “They are leaders on our campus, and I know they will graduate and become model Setonian alumni. They’re winners in life, and that will be their legacy.”