Although Mother Nature kept the avid Lions’ fans of Berkeley Carroll waiting with a washout, the one-day postponement was worth the wait. The Varsity Baseball team had been scheduled to face off against Birch Wathen Lenox at Coney Island’s MCU Park on Sunday, May 19, but the game had to be moved to Monday, the 20th. Still, the boys didn’t disappoint. The Lions managed a 3-0 shutout, advancing them to the NYSAIS semifinals. Jacob Udewitz pitched an outstanding four-hit shutout. Another highlight includes the hustle that was shown on the field. The Lions took advantage of BWL’s sloppy plays and stole ten bases. Spectacular hitting was demonstrated by Richard Palacios, sophomore, who started off the rally with a perfect bunt up the third base line. Senior Anthony Spina brought home two teammates, including Palacios, with a sac fly, making two of the three runs. The rest of the game included total dedication and teamwork in defeating BWL’s offense. Max Jens and Robert Graham held down the fort and pushed through for a shutout.

The next day marked the match where the Lions would fight rivals, Poly Prep for the NYSAIS Finals. The semi-finals were held on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 21 afternoon at Columbia’s Robertson Field. Although the 2-0 defeat ended Berkeley Carroll’s undefeated record and 2013 Spring Season, the team’s accomplishments must not be underrated. Ian Miller threw fireballs against the two-time defending state champion Blue Devils and the team put up a vigorous fight. But, the Devils, fearing the wrath of the undefeated Lions, put in their pitcher Andrew Zapata who failed to let BC gain more than one hit. Miller was just as tough and determined on the mound, but some slippery hands in the field in the fourth inning allowed the two runs made by the Devils. Besides that, Miller struck out six of the Devils and fired 15 first-pitch strikes. “Those two pitchers put on a show today,” coach Walter Paller exclaimed. Wistfully he states, “If we didn’t make a few critical (defensive) mistakes, we could still be playing. But those things happen in the heat of the moment.” Although the Lions didn’t claim the coveted championship this time around, they managed to take down every other one of their opponents in one of the greatest seasons in school history. The BCS Lions picked up their heads and walked away from the field filled with pride over their season. “My team played and practiced like champions for three months. We won the regular season and playoff championships, received the number one seed in the NYSAAIS tournament, and lost only one game. Unfortunately, it was the final game of our season. We achieved so much,” says Walter Paller with pride. Anthony Spina adds, “Losing is never a good feeling, but it helps knowing we did all we could to win that game. We came together as a team and battled the whole way through.”

Congratulations are due to all the seniors participating on the team this year. So, congratulations on a great season to Anthony Spina, Jacob Udewitz, Robert Graham, and Max Jens. I’m sure your time spent on the team has been one for the books. Robert Graham was upset at the fact that his last days of baseball at Berkeley Carroll had arrived and Anthony Spina articulates, “It’s been an amazing four years at Berkeley Carroll–better than I could have hoped for.” I’m sure these players will continue to make great plays in college next year.