One ball, two strikes and a three headed monster
Andrew Davidson, Staff Writer
With six games left, North Greenville University’s baseball team is looking to close out the regular season as they sit comfortably in first place on the Conference Carolinas standings.
The crusaders have dominated once again in the 2023 season putting together an impressive record of 38-6. Despite their six losses, NGU has only lost one series.
Head Coach Landon Powell is proud of his team but tells them that there is much more baseball to be played.
“I think the season is going well, I’m happy with what the team is doing and now it is kind of that playoff push. The way we think about it around here is that the real season is just getting ready to start. This is when we hunker down and start working harder and focusing more because everything matters.” said Powell.
The crusaders have a good chance at winning back-to-back national championships. There are many returning players from last year’s team and some new faces looking to win their first championship.
“That’s a good dynamic, you got some guys that know and believe it, then you got other guys that want it. All that winning the championship has done is make us want to win more. We don’t just want to have one, we want to have a whole display of them.” said Powell.
In order to get to the championship, there is a conference post season, as well as the regional tournament. The crusaders only need two more wins in the last six games to secure the #1 seed in the conference tournament, a tournament that they have won the last four years.
This year’s conference tournament will be hosted by Belmont Abbey College in Gastonia, North Carolina from May 4-7.
The crusaders will play for their fifth consecutive conference championship. If they do not win, however, Powell says that they have a very high chance at securing an at-large bid which enters them into the national tournament.
There will be a lot of good teams at the tournament, but Powell says the only team that poses a threat is themselves.
“We have to compete with ourselves. If we show up and do what we are capable of and handle our business and play to our abilities, we will win.” said Powell.
There are many competitive teams at the national tournament which the Crusaders faced last year, but what sets the winner aside is who can do what is necessary to win.
“It’s whether the ball is going to bounce our way, whether we’re going to get the big hit in the big situations, whether were going to make the big pitch in the tough situations. That is kind of how baseball works. When you get down to the end, all of the teams are capable and good enough, it just depends on who makes those good plays at the right times.” said Powell.
There have been a few standout players on the roster leading the team to success.
Behind the plate, John Michael Faile calls all the pitches and is the backbone of the team according to Powell. He has been an all-american recipient the last three years.
Another all-american is Marek Chlup. The right fielder received the player of the year last year as well.
Mike Rodrigues, Nate Roof and Dawson Taylor are three pitchers in the bullpen, which Powell says have posed a threat to opponents this season.
“We call them the three headed monster. When we have a lead, we put them in and they slam the door.” said Powell.
With the national tournament just weeks away, these players among others know exactly what they need to do to win.
“I try to challenge them to stay focused and involved during every pitch. Win every pitch, every out, every inning, that’s a motto we have around here. If you win every pitch, every out and every inning you are going to win the game.” said Powell.
