Berkeley Carroll’s varsity baseball team has started its season off with a bang! The fifteen-man squad is currently undefeated in its regular season games. Since the team landed back home from its annual spring training trip in Florida, it has been red hot. The boys were in Orlando for seven days, where they had a busy practice schedule and played six games. Their spring training record was 4-2, beating teams from Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Minnesota. “I am extremely satisfied with the trip and our fast start. We found our identity and developed a true sense of team in Florida,” says Coach Paller. Their training was a vital part of their more recent success and has also helped them get to know each other as teammates.
After the spring training trip, the team was back out there playing scrimmages. The BC Lions rode out to play scrimmages against Wardlaw Hartridge in Edison, New Jersey and the Danbury School in Connecticut during the second week of spring break. Ian Miller and Anthony Spina worked together to throw a no-hitter, a smooth victory over the Danbury School.
The Lions’ season opener was on the Saturday before the end of spring break. They played Susan Wagner, a highly regarded baseball program in Staten Island, and defeated them 3-1. Senior pitcher Jacob Udewitz threw a great game and is showing signs of a promising season. When asked about his expectations for the team this season, Jacob said, “I think this team has unlimited potential and, as long we stay grounded and play our game, there’s no telling how far we can go.” So far, the team has stayed grounded thanks to the strong leadership shown by the four senior captains: Jacob Udewitz, Robert Graham, Max Jens, and Anthony Spina.
The baseball team has always played a jam-packed and competitive schedule, but this season in particular is going to be extremely challenging. On April 8th, the Lions rode out to Poly Prep in Bay Ridge to play their arch-rival in a regular season game. There has been a lot of competition between the Lions and the Blue Devils ever since Berkeley Carroll defeated them in 2009, winning the NYSAIS State Championship. Ian Miller, the team’s number one pitcher, threw a shutout and defeated the Blue Devils 1-0 on their own field. Both a pitcher’s duel and a low-scoring game, every inning was nerve-wracking. Tensions were high, but the Lions walked away with a victory. Their excitement propelled them to defeat Staten Island Academy the next day in their first league game.
So far, the Varsity Baseball team is currently undefeated and it looks forward to playing St. Ann’s and McKee Tech. It is also ready for its showdown, double-header against its League rival Long Island Lutheran. Coach Paller expressed his excitement towards the upcoming games: “Our team has an uncanny ability to focus on the present and not concern itself with what might happen in May.” It looks like the boys have a good future ahead of them and, if they continue to play confidently, there is no telling how far they could go. Hopefully their success will continue and more fans will come out to cheer them on!
Berkeley Carroll’s baseball team is currently ranked number seven in New York City, among both private and public schools. To see the rankings, clink on the link below.
CLICK HERE: BERKELEY CARROLL VARSITY BASEBALL RANKED #7 BY NYC BASEBALL POWER RANKINGS