By Pat Tintle
Sports Editor
With great pitching comes a great team.
After a 2-2 start to the 2015 season, the baseball team has put together a seven-game winning streak. Now with a 9-2 record (.818 winning percentage), the Bonnies continued their early season surge last weekend as they swept a two-game series at Mount St. Mary’s, winning 5-2 and 6-3 in the Sunday doubleheader.
Junior right-handed pitcher Connor Grey pitched five innings, giving up three runs, in the Bonnies’ second win. Despite the Mountaineers posting a 2-8 record, Grey stated that Mount St. Mary’s roster was comparable to most collegiate baseball teams the Bonnies will be facing in the future.
“The lineup was a lot like most college lineups,” Grey said. “The middle of the lineup could drive the ball, and as you went down the lineup, most of the other guys were contact hitters.”
Grey’s only trouble came from one swing from freshman first baseman Brian Parreira, who clubbed a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning. Grey would then pitch through the fifth inning, improving his record to 2-0 with a 2.20 earned run average.
While Grey has pitched well through three starts, so have the rest of the Bonnies staff. The team has a 2.18 ERA through the first 11 games, posting a .250 batting average against in that time.
Those numbers, paired with a .358 team on base percentage, have given the Bonnies the winning record they hold today.
The Bonnies are not just winning; they are enjoying playing the game of baseball, according to Grey.
“The morale of the team is on a high after our spring trip, and we are starting to play with confidence,” Grey said. “When you’re winning, it makes everything better. We are in a good spot right now with knowing what we have to do to win and playing relaxed and having fun while doing so.”
The Bonnies may be winning for now, but Grey also said that this team has the capability to perform on an elite level throughout the season.
“I really like the team this year,” Grey said. “We are having different guys step up every game at the plate and out on the mound. If we keep making plays, I think we have a shot at keeping this pace up.”
A big test is approaching for the team next week as it hosts Niagara for a doubleheader on Tuesday at Fred Handler Park at the McGraw-Jennings Field.
“Last year, we went 0-4 against Niagara, so we’re determined to turn that around,” Grey said. “Coach is trying to make sure we keep a level head and not get too high so we don’t play too relaxed, so I think we will come to play next Tuesday.”
The Purple Eagles are 2-11 on the season through their first 13 games. But Grey said that Niagara could have significant weapons on their roster when they arrive to St. Bonaventure.
“As far as a team, I haven’t heard anything about them,” Grey said. “But they usually play pretty good defensively, and they have a few guys who are pretty good hitters.”
