Text only

  Solid Spring Trip for Baseball Team

    By Daniel Thomson
    IV Leader Sports Writer

    The IVCC baseball team returned from their Spring Trip at Cocoa Beach, Fla., with an impressive 6-2 mark.
Assistant coach Eric Pinter felt that the trip was a good start to the year.
    “Overall, we showed a lot of character as a team and played fundamental baseball for the most part,” Pinter said.
IVCC won two games in extra innings and came back from a four-run deficit to beat Iowa Lakes Community College.
    The Eagles also withheld a late surge from baseball powerhouse Avery Point Connecticut for a 10-9 victory.
    “I was really impressed with how some individuals stepped up, especially the pitching staff,” said Pinter. “Both Charlie McConnaughhay and John Kazmierczak proved that they have quality stuff.”
    Kazmierczak left Florida with a win and a save while McConnaughhay had a save and a no-decision.
    Other pitching standouts were Luke Vine and Fabian Gomez, who each had two wins while team captain Brook Meier had a win and a save.
    The offensive leader of the trip was shortstop Chad Holloway, who despite missing the final day due to a hamstring strain, led the team in hits.
    Other notable offensive performers were catcher Erik Mendoza, first basemen Adam Bertrand and left fielder David Cox, who is another semester transfer proving very instrumental for IVCC.
    Cox spent two years at Alabama State playing on the golf team before deciding to play baseball – a sport he hadn’t played since high school. Cox acknowledges that making the comeback was tough.
    “I had a few doubts when I sat the bench all last year,” said Cox. “I never lost confidence though; all I needed was an opportunity.”
    Many of the players enjoyed the Florida weather with their families. Erik Mendoza is originally from Florida and especially liked returning with his family.
    “I enjoyed going back to Florida because it was where I first played baseball and it was fun to revisit,” said Mendoza.
    The team was also treated to a day at Universal Studios in Orlando on the final day of the trip.
    “Universal Studios was great,” said Vine. “It’s an experience I will remember forever.”
    “Overall the trip was a success,” team captain Adam Bertrand said. “We gave one of the games away, which happens.     Eventually the breaks will go our way and the wins will come.”
    The team has stumbled since coming back to Illinois. Since the 6-2 start, the team sits at 8-6 as of press time after going 2-1 in their games on March 18 and 19.
    The team is scheduled to travel to Illinois Central College on March 23 for a 1 p.m. contest and will have the first conference game when they host Highland on March 25, which starts at noon.
    The team will travel to Moraine Valley on March 26.

back to Sports