So far, the baseball season has not been going as well as the players had hoped. Currently with a 0-6 record, the team has a very slim chance of making it to the playoffs. However, the team is still working hard and trying to earn a few wins before the season is over. 

“I am looking forward to growing as a team and becoming more successful as the season continues,” freshman Thomas Ward said. 

Baseball is a sport that requires a tremendous amount of team bonding. Communication is important in order to make good plays. Players must communicate and work together to acquire outs by passing the ball to their teammates. Despite their losing record this season, the team has shown great communication skills and made several successful plays. 

“It is important to make sure that your teammates know what to do with the ball when they get it,” sophomore Chase Grable said.

In a 7-8 loss against Beaver Falls on April 4, the team worked together to earn their seven runs. In the top of the second inning, junior Luke Gazdik got hit by a pitch, bringing junior Luke Snavely home and making the score 2-1. Junior Isaac Barry then got a single, bringing Grable home and making the score rise to 3-1. Later in the game, Gazdik got two runs batted in (RBIs), which also contributed to the team’s score for the night.

On April 11, the boys played Ellwood City and had a close game of 3-4. Senior Carter Slowinski got a double in the top of the fourth inning. With bases loaded in the top of the fifth inning, Barry got a double, bringing the score to 2-3. Quickly after, Slowinski got a single, bringing Grable home and increasing the score to 3-3.

The team experienced a lot of complications this season starting with games getting rescheduled due to weather and also with players sustaining injuries. When coaching a sport, it is important to be prepared for injuries. Pitcher and senior Tristen Clear is unable to do any pitching, but he is allowed to bat. Junior Jacob Milbert is also not allowed to pitch due to an arm injury; however, he is allowed light throwing and batting. Gazdik experienced an injury at a home game against Beaver Falls on April 5, and he will be out for the rest of the season. 

Upcoming home games are scheduled for May 2 against Hopewell, May 10 against Northgate and May 12 against Cornell. Upcoming away games are on May 4 at Hopewell and May 9 at Northgate. The Bulldogs hope to win their last few games and bring their record up from last season.