By Alwyn Jimmy, Part-Time Staff Writer
Originally Published April 9, 2024
With the baseball season fully underway, the SVC baseball team is looking to impress as the Bearcats continue PAC play in a doubleheader at home, against Chatham, on Tuesday, April 9, and another doubleheader at Westminster on Saturday, April 13.
The team has had a mixed start to their campaign with a split against Waynesburg in their PAC opener on March 22, a tight loss against Washington and Jefferson on March 27, and a split against Franciscan on April 6.
Outfielder J’Shawn Taylor, senior psychology major, gave his feedback on the Waynesburg game.
“We’ll be looking to take care of the little details of the game. Communication on the field is something that we have been stressing a lot lately, so seeing the adjustments we have made and getting a chance to implement them in the game is going to be big for us the rest of the way,” Taylor said.
He explained that no matter how much they are down by, the Bearcats feel they have a chance to win the game. He feels this showed in how close the Waynesburg game was. Taylor explained that if they keep that mentality and continue to fight late in games, they will put themselves in a good position to win more games.
The close games Taylor alludes to are not foreign to the Bearcats. They lost their games against Washington and Jefferson by scores of 9 to 10 and 5 to 8, respectively, and lost one of their games against Franciscan with an ending score of 10 to 11. During that Franciscan game, the Bearcats were outscored 6 to 0 in the first inning, only to respond with 5 unanswered points in the second inning, setting the stage for the rest of the tight game. On an inverse note, they won one of their games against Waynesburg with a score of 6 to 5.
However, a non-conference doubleheader against Hiram ended in a comprehensive loss for the travelling Bearcats in Berea, Ohio. While they managed to keep the score respectable in the second game, losing 3 to 6, they were blown away in the first, losing the game 1 to 12. With the team looking to bounce back, the result was a reminder that in order to be the best, consistency is key.
Taylor knows there is always hope to win the PAC championship, and for this to be the year. But he reminds himself what is most important at the end of the day.
“My goals individually align with the goals of the team. I just want to continue being a great teammate, helping us win however I’m needed that day – whether it’s a start, a pinch at bat, or to pinch-run late in the game,” Taylor said. “To be a successful team, you need everyone to play their part for that day, and if we remain consistent in that mindset, we can achieve all of our goals within the season.”
While competition remains fierce and training can be gruelling, Taylor perseveres, reminding himself of why he plays.
“The fact that I get to compete with my friends, some who I’ve known for four years now and others that I’ve made a bond with just this year, is my favourite part,” Taylor said. “We made multiple trips down to Latrobe High School to play our fall season, we all woke up to practice at 5:30 a.m together, not to mention the 18 hours plus bus rides to and from Florida, and another 8-hour ride to and from Virginia. Just getting to play the game is enough, but to do it with this group of guys makes it even more enjoyable.”
The Bearcats will be hoping to obtain further victories in a non-conference game at La Roche on Thursday, April 11, and in a PAC game at Westminster on Saturday, April 13.
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