Baseball Drops Two Against Andover
EXETER – Boys’ varsity baseball drops two more in a double-header against Andover on Saturday, losing 13-3 in the first game and winning 7-5 in the second. These losses bring Exeter to 2-8 in conference play, 3-9 in overall games, and a mile away from even getting a whiff of the playoffs.
Andover, the former worst team in the league, pounced on the pitching in the first game and rocketed up to a quick lead in the first three innings. Combined with a shaky offense that failed to make solid contact, a ten point gouging was the best anyone could hope for in that scenario.
“Obviously we all were expecting a better outcome from the weekend, we just didn't get it done,” said upper Brendan Rosseau. “One issue we've dealt with all year is putting together a solid offense, and we struggled Saturday to put runs on the board against their pitchers.”
“Andover's coaches and players were not always good sports and were sometimes pretty pathetic,” said lower Perry DeLorenzo. “But I'm glad that as a team, we kept our composure. I can't wait until we see them again at E/a.”
In the second game, however, the issues were flipped, and what was a shaky offense became a shaky defense. With inconsistent play and improper timing, Big Red just couldn’t seem to be operating on all three fronts: a trait that seems to have eluded the team for most of the season.
“A lot of guys showed good fight and determination in game 2,” said Rosseau. “And that was really nice to see after a loss. The highlight was probably Vincent Sansone's pitching, but Perry DeLorenzo also had a few good hits.”
Now, these losses officially made Exeter baseball the first team to be statistically eliminated from the playoffs. Without enough in-conference play to even hit .500 on the season, Cushing, Worchester and Tabor seem to be the locks for the postseason with the last slot up for grabs.
“For the rest of the reason, the goal is just to play some good baseball,” said Rosseau. “We've got a great group of guys and we've got some good talent. I'd just like to finish out the season on a positive note by proving that we are a solid team.”
“For the rest of the year, we're looking to win some ballgames,” said DeLorenzo. “Even if it doesn't mean playoff games, we’re going to make sure we get some revenge against Andover during E/a weekend.”
Exeter’s next game is against the 10-4 Cushing that they lost to 1-4 earlier in the season, one of the hardest teams they’ll play all year. It starts at 1:00 this Saturday the 10th.