As we enter the darkest stage of every Boston University school year — with no soccer, no basketball and no hockey — we can at least be thankful for one thing.
It’s baseball season, and I figure it’s about time I throw some props at Boston University’s club baseball squad.
Listen, I’m not one of those people that likes to write “look at this team that’s so good and you should pay attention to it” columns. But seriously, two of my roommates (shortstop Alex Lambert and catcher Kevin Scheitrum) are on this team, and I think it’s time someone let everybody know how ill this group actually is.
According to the National Club Baseball Association website, the Terriers rank 20th in the nation. Other than our hockey team, that’s probably the best squad we have on campus.
After BU dumped the varsity baseball team in 1995, this team has been playing for respect. And with the new national rankings, it seems BU’s quest for recognition is finally coming to fruition.
Along with my roommates, there are many players worth watching, including sophomore leadoff hitter and second baseman, Chris McIssac, who leads the team with two homers.
I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention starting right fielder Mike “Rizzo” Carozza, who boasts the best arm on the team.
And hey, I’m not trying to shove bragging rights at Rizzo by any means, but the first time I saw this kid play, when I tried out for the team, I was amazed at his gat. This guy, without a shadow of a doubt, has a Division I-quality arm.
We were both playing right field (I was actually a pitcher in high school, but as a junior attempting to revive my career, I was looking to show some versatility) when Rizzo caught his first fly ball during an infield-outfield practice.
From medium-deep right field, Rizzo threw a perfect strike — no hops — to home plate. And I’m thinking to myself, “Tight dude, thanks for wrecking my first impression.”
Anyway, that’s just a little anecdote to give you some perspective on the type of talent a fan can typically see from the Terriers. Granted, this isn’t an NCAA team — but these kids can play.
It would be whack, however, if I tried to tell you to go to every Terrier club baseball home game. After all, the team’s home field is at Boston English High School in Jamaican Plain.
But if you don’t have anything to do on a Saturday and you want to brave the journey out to JP, they’re a pretty fun team to watch. The star potential of players like senior centerfielder and captain Pete Lawn (who’s been on the team for all four years at BU) is evident in his stats this year and in his entire Terrier career.
In the North Atlantic Conference North Division games, Lawn has posted a .375 batting average and recorded 6 RBIs. His contributions, along with sophomore pitcher Randy Forrester’s 2.70 ERA in 16 2/3 innings, have helped the Terriers improve to a 5-1 record.
Perhaps what’s most impressive about the scarlet and white’s rise to national club baseball prominence (if there is such a thing) is its recent slide into the top-25 polls.
After toiling for the last few years in the little-known (and relatively competition-free) New England Club Baseball Association, the baseball team moved into a conference that offered a much higher level of competition.
And so far, they’ve had nothing but success.
When I spoke two years ago with then-coach Dave D’Onafrio, he told me the baseball team was motivated by the possibility the powers that be would reinstate the varsity program.
Certainly, becoming a top-20 club team is a step in the right direction. It might be quite a few years before we again have a varsity program, but it’s hard to argue that talented baseball players wouldn’t want to play at BU.
So even on days like yesterday, when it’s cloudy, rainy and generally filthy outside and you start lamenting about the lack of exciting BU varsity sports remaining, at least remember the Terrier Nine are representing strong.