There were no charter buses taking the team back and forth. There were no press credentials issued for a contingent of writers. There were no clear directions to Sinard Field in the town of Rochester, N.H.
Such was the life of Boston University’s club baseball team, whose players assembled into five different cars to play the University of New Hampshire in the first game of the season. The Wildcats defeated the Terriers, 8-3, on Saturday afternoon, dropping the Terriers to 0-1 in the four-game season.
From the outset, BU appeared poised for an upset, jumping on New Hampshire in the top of the second inning. With two outs and junior catcher Erik Simpson on first, junior right fielder Jason Homler’s dribbler to third was misplayed by New Hampshire infielder Steve Holmes. His errant throw to first base allowed Simpson to score and Homler to advance to third base. Homler then scored when sophomore center fielder Erik Dugal walked and stole second base, prompting an errant throw.
Just as they promised, the Terriers proved that they could compete with a more established club program, which is no small feat when taking into account the relative size of the players.
“When we first came up for warm-ups, we noticed how big they were,” said Scott Gilefsky, who shares the coaching responsibilities with Steve Pinner. “Once we started playing, everyone’s the same size. I wouldn’t want to play them in football.”
BU relinquished the lead in the bottom of the third inning when New Hampshire shortstop Matt Liebengin drove a pitch from junior pitcher Matt Walker over the right field wall with two men on base. The Wildcats led the rest of the way.
“I threw it low and inside,” Walker said. “Apparently, that’s where he likes it. He’s obviously a good hitter. He just drove it out of the park.”
Walker pitched four innings, allowing four hits, three runs, six walks and a balk. Overall, the Terriers like what they saw from their starting pitcher, who kept the team in the game with help from the defense. In the bottom of the fourth with two out and runners on second and third, New Hampshire’s Holmes was robbed when a backtracking Homler caught his deep drive to right field.
“He’s a fierce competitor,” Gilefsky said of Walker. “It seems like he bears down once he gets guys on base. He did a great job at the plate as well. He looks like one of the leaders on this team early on.”
“I was very surprised at how well the defense played,” Walker said.
In the bottom of the seventh, left fielder Jason Cantelli made a diving catch that drew applause from the New Hampshire players and coaches.
New Hampshire extended its lead in the bottom of the fifth. After sophomore pitcher Nathan Cockrell allowed an infield hit and walked two to load the bases, designated hitter Matt Pinkos stole home. Cockrell then issued a two-out walk to second baseman Tom Crohan. The Wildcats would add two more insurance runs in the eighth inning ensuring victory.
“We were facing a team that had played a couple games before,” Gilefsky said. “For the first time out, our guys played well, communicated well, fielded well. They picked each other up well [defensively]. It is just a matter of seeing some more live pitching.”
The Terriers hope more quality at bats against live pitching will improve their hitting. BU manufactured runs from defensive miscues and walks, managing only four hits throughout the game.
“I thought we did a good job with what pitches we were swinging at,” Gilefsky said. “Our timing was just off. The fastballs we were doing all right with. It’s the curveballs that you don’t see.”
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