The Wesleyan men’s baseball team came alive at home over the weekend, sweeping a three-game set from the Hamilton Continentals. With the offense running smoothly and Wesleyan pitchers all throwing complete games, the Cardinals looked ready to compete with the best teams in the NESCAC.
In Friday’s contest, the Cardinals sent ace Tom Bloss ’05 to the mound. Bloss was impressive as usual, throwing a complete game, a four-hit shutout. To ensure that Bloss saw adequate run support, every Cardinal in the starting lineup got at least one hit and scored at least one run. Both captain Jason Vitko ’05 and Alexander Brooks ’06 went 4-for-4. Mac Clonan ’05 and Adam Kopiec ’07 also contributed three hits each. Clonan blasted a three-run shot in the sixth inning on his way to amassing five RBIs. Kopiec contributed two long balls in the form of solo home runs, adding to a recent streak of homers that has seen him hit three over his last two games.
“I really feel like I’ve been getting all of the ball,” Kopiec said. “It feels really great to be hitting this well and watch everyone share the same success.”
With both Clonan and Kopiec hitting so well it is no surprise that the lineup has found room for both catchers, as Kopiec debuted out of position at first base Friday. The Cardinals won the first game in a degrading 20-0 fashion.
After abusing Hamilton pitching on Friday, the Cardinals were ready to stick it to the Continentals on Saturday in the double-header. However, the whooping would have to be postponed until Sunday as light rain rendered the field unplayable.
In Sunday’s first game the Cardinals sent sophomore hurler Andre Sternberg to the mound. Wesleyan led through most of the game, until Hamilton tied it at two in the top of the seventh and final inning. Despite being prepared for extra innings, Sternberg was not forced back out onto the mound as Anthony Gray ’06 delivered a game-winning single with the bases loaded. The most encouraging part of the 3-2 victory was Wesleyan’s defense holding, as the squad committed no errors in the close game.
In the second game of the afternoon, Will Gordon ’05 took the hill in hopes of rounding out a trifecta of complete games. The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead scoring four runs in the first inning. This would be sufficient run support as Gordon hit his spots all day allowing only four hits in the game. The game ended with a 9-3 victory and the season’s first sweep. The team later discussed plans for their impending appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
“The sweep was a tremendous confidence booster,” Vitko said. “This should be the turning point in our season. This was the weekend. Things came together, and we feel like we’re ready to take Amherst. Couldn’t come into an important series any better.”
The Cardinals are still fourth in the NESCAC West, but are now well within the reach of both Williams and Middlebury. The team will travel to Trinity to test their winning streak on Tuesday. NESCAC West competition will commence again with Amherst at home on Friday and a Saturday double-header at Amherst College.
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