Sports
Young baseball stars develop through team struggles
By Dave Meisel '13, Sports Staff Writer
April 26, 2012
Hamilton’s baseball team has struggled this season to the tune of a 6-23 record (2-7 in the NESCAC).
However, the poor mark hasn’t stunted the development of the team’s young players. In fact, the Continentals’ struggles have served as a learning experience for every member of the team and the coaching staff.
First-years JJay Lane and Alex Pachella and sophomore Colin Henneberger have shown this season that they will be the core of the team for the next few years. The three young players have played large roles of late for the Continentals and have improved tremendously.
Lane has posted a 2-5 mark in seven starts this season with a less-than-stellar 8.39 ERA, but Coach Tim Byrnes has liked what he’s seen lately from Lane.
“JJay has been really good all year,” said Byrnes. “He finally got some [wins] to match his efforts.”
Byrnes also added that defense has played a role in the team’s improved pitching of late, giving the Continentals’ hurlers more confidence. They have been more able to pitch to contact with improved defense.
Lane had a tough go of it in his most recent start, a 13-1 loss to Wesleyan. He took a loss and allowed nine earned runs, but perhaps more importantly he was able to eat up 7.2 innings. Despite the poor numbers, it is always good when a young pitcher can battle and stay in a game to keep his bullpen fresh.
Lane’s previous start was far more impressive. In a 5-4 win against Middlebury, he pitched six innings of two-run ball (one earned run) and struck out six.
Henneberger and Pachella have benefitted from having more distinct roles as of late. The two were spending time both in the field and on the mound earlier in the season, but Coach Byrnes gave them more defined roles earlier in the season.
“I would think that since we moved Pachella to a full time pitcher and Henneberger to a full time SS it has helped both of them settle down and play with much more confidence in their roles,” said Byrnes.
Pachella has been outstanding on the mound all year, tossing 37.2 innings with an ERA of 3.35 in six starts. He’s 3-1, and most impressively, he’s walked only five batters on the season and has a WHIP of 1.19.
Henneberger has continued to struggle at the plate. He’s currently seven for 45 on the season and has made 19 errors in the field, but has nonetheless played a role in the team’s ability to stay in games and battle.
“Although we got swept by Wesleyan, all three games were great battles. Even game three through five innings was only a 5-0 ball game,” said Byrnes.
“We are playing well and competing at a much higher level than early on and we are looking forward to another battle-filled weekend at Williams.”
Prior to being swept by Wesleyan, the Continentals had their best three-game stretch of the year. They took two out of three games from Middlebury. The two victories were hard-earned: a 5-3 victory in the first game of the series and a 5-4 victory in the rubber match.
Hamilton was scheduled to play St. Lawrence on April 24, but the game was postponed due to inclement weather. The Continentals will finish their season and try to leapfrog Bates and Colby with a three-game set at Williams on April 28-29.