The baseball team had an up-and-down trip to Florida during Spring break, going 11-8 over the course of the two weeks.
Still, the team showed streaks of brilliance. In the first game against Amherst, the Bears showed particular late-inning guile.
Brendan Garner '11 got things going with a single, and three hits and two runs later, Matt Ruane '11 stepped up to the plate with pinch runner Ian Merry '09 on third base. Ruane shrugged off the pressure and lined a single to left, driving in the game-winning run. The team had overcome what had been a four-run deficit to take a triumphant victory in the first game of a doubleheader.
"It was a big win for us," said Steve Hall '10. "We showed real mental toughness in that game that I think could help us later in the season."
The win was certainly crucial for morale after a slow start. Opening the trip with back-to-back losses against Curry College, the Polar Bears ultimately finished the trip winning 11 of 17 games and sweeping Salve Regina, Wentworth College, and UMass-Dartmouth. The Bears returned home from Florida last Saturday after an 11-8 start to their season.
Joe Pace '10, Ben Higgins '11, and senior Pat Driscoll anchored the pitching rotation, while first year Tim Welch made a name for himself with a strong effort at the end of the trip. Last year's ace Carter Butland has struggled with a shoulder injury, but hopes to return soon.
On the offensive side, sophomore Brett Gorman led the team with 16 RBIs while hitting .370. Joe Berte '09, Kevin Zikaras '10, and Reid Auger '10 have also been consistent contributors at the plate. Auger takes a 17-game hitting streak into this weekend's three game series against Trinity.
The squad certainly has its work cut out for them against Trinity; the Bantams went 45-1 on their way to claiming a Division III NCAA Championship title last year. They also swept Bowdoin last season. Trinity has since graduated their three top players.
"It's definitely one of the most hyped up series of the season," said Nick Pisegna '11.
The three-game series will be played at the University of Maine-Orono turf fields this Friday and Saturday, since the diamond at Bowdoin is still covered with snow.