Roger An
Contributing Writer
With a team that’s returning over three-quarters of its starting position players and pitchers from last year, the Fighting Scots baseball team is certainly poised to make another great run this season and has opened the season 11-4.
Wooster began its season in Florida during the first week of Spring Break. The Fighting Scots opened up with a 4-1 record.
In game one, southpaw Michael Houdek ’17 put his team in a very good position for a win. He used 101 pitches to confuse the Johns Hopkins University hitters for seven innings, striking out five and only giving up three walks, while giving up three extra base hits.
In game two, Nanak Saran ’18 went seven innings, striking out seven and only walking one. The Salem State University offense only managing to squeak out a double and a few bloopers and grounders that made it just past the infield in the team’s win.
In game three, NCAA Divison III first team All-American Jamie Lackner ’17 contributed to the team’s victory over the University of Wisconsin-Stout by reaching base three times to set the tone for the game. Joey Gilmore ’16 and Jake Fling ’18 reached base for a total of eight times in their plate appearances in the fourth and fifth games, both wins.
In the second week, Wooster had another 4-1 week, bringing momentum on their side as Spring Break ended. Notables were Kenny Reckart ’16 and Ryan Ostendorf ’17, who both batted over .500 on the trip. In the win over University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Wooster Native Tyler Schuch ’17 gave everything he had in a quality start. Closer Michael Whittaker ’17, James Usher ’18, and sidearmer Jacob Pries ’17 gave quality innings in the bullpen.
Head Coach Tim Pettorini commented on the games, “Everything went well. We had great pitching, solid defense and timely hitting. Couldn’t have asked more of these guys. But overall, we want to be the best team at the end of the year, not the beginning.”