Baseball Season Preview for Holy Cross
Holy Cross Baseball has kicked off the 2023 season with a mix of promising performances and challenging matches.
Freshman Alex Sandell from Cambridge, Mass has shown early signs of encouragement, particularly in the season opener where he went 2-4 with two runs and an RBI. Sandell's strong start has added a fresh injection of talent to the team.
Meanwhile, sophomores Jayden Wywoda and Danny Macchiarola have made a significant impact in the opening day, with a combined 9-inning, 2-run performance. Macchiarola clinched the win, while Wywoda registered a save, setting the tone for the season.
Junior first baseman Chris Baillargeon has been a consistent performer for the team. In the absence of search results listing new players with outstanding performances this season, Baillargeon's steady contributions have been a notable highlight.
Junior Sean Scandling and sophomore Jack Toomey have had impressive starts at the plate. Scandling boasts a .955 OPS, while Toomey has an .829, with both players having multiple RBIs. Their solid performances have been key to the team's offensive strategy.
Freshman Ryan Grundy from Weston, Massachusetts has had a great start at the plate, going 3-6 with a triple, three runs, and two RBIs in his first full game. Grundy's promising debut bodes well for his future in the team.
The team will make its home debut on Wednesday, March 20th, at 5 PM versus UMass Lowell. This will be an exciting opportunity for fans to witness the team's progress in person.
After a series at Kansas State, currently ranked 24th in the nation, Holy Cross will travel to Honolulu to play the University of Hawaii for four games from March 1st to 4th. This will be an challenging test for the team, but one they are eager to face.
The team started their season with a 3-game series at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Despite losing 2 out of 3 games, Holy Cross scored 20 runs against a team with the 9th lowest ERA in NCAA last season, demonstrating their offensive potential.
Former Holy Cross pitcher Matt Blake currently serves as the Yankees pitching coach. Blake made a significant impact during the World Series this fall, furthering his reputation in the baseball world.
The Campus Activity Board organized an ice skating event as part of their Welcome Back programs. The event, held off-campus on the Worcester Common, was a popular activity for dozens of Holy Cross students during the first week back on campus.
Matt Blake has been in this role since November 7, 2019. His continued success in professional baseball serves as an inspiration to current Holy Cross players.
