Hall of Fame baseball Manager Earl Weaver used to say that the key to winning in baseball was good pitching, good defense, and the three-run home run. While the baseball team did not benefit from any three-run homers against Springfield on Tuesday, its performance otherwise resembled one that Weaver would have been proud of. A shut out by pitchers Kit Tholen ’08 and Tim Truncellito ’08, a clean game in the field, and timely hitting led to a solid 5-0 victory.
Leading the way on the offensive end was designated hitter Chris Simpson ’08, who had two triples. Sampson and his Cardinal teammates opportunistically converted nine hits into three runs.
“It’s exciting watching him hit because we know that if he ever starts a serious weight-training regimen, he’ll be able to turn a lot of his extra base hits into homeruns,” said catcher Josh Corson ’08.
Also making major contributions for the Cardinals were centerfielder Jesse Leavitt ’08 and second baseman Daniel Poniatowski ’08, who each had two hits and an RBI.
The men’s baseball team (11-11-1) is now riding a five-game winning streak as it heads into a crucial Saturday doubleheader against Bowdoin. The Cardinals’ recent success can be attributed to excellent starting pitching as well as to a back to basics approach championed by Coach Mark Woodworth. As he writes in his acclaimed book, “The Rhythm of Baseball,” “baseball players must remember to keep things simple – throw the ball, hit the ball, and catch the ball.”
These factors, combined with what many players describe as the ‘bench improving in its role,’ have the Cards playing old-fashioned winning baseball as they enter a critical stretch of the season.
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