Baseball Goes One for Two in Double Header
Despite a close match and eventual defeat in the first =game of their double header against Worcester Academy this past Saturday, boys’ varsity baseball pulled out a tremendous win in their second game. The final scores of the games were 1-2 and 10-5, respectively.
Heading into the game, the boys were unsure of the outcome. Although Exeter had maintained an undefeated season up to that point, Worcester had been a formidable opponent in the past and was having a successful season.
Most of Exeter’s team agreed that their pitchers were the stars of both games. Seniors Steve Cerrone and Mike Kacergis both pitched strong games and commended one another for their skill on the hill. Cerrone threw the entire first game, struck out many of Worcester’s batters and gave up just two runs. Kacergis said that Cerrone pitched “incredibly well.”
Senior Perry DeLorenzo also listed Cerrone and Kacergis as stars. “Our two stud pitchers gave us huge performances on the hill,” he said.
Captain and senior JT Thompson again cited the pitchers as impressive players this week. “Steve Cerrone pitched a gem in the first game, but we couldn’t produce enough on the offensive side to get him the win,” he said. “Kacergis really stepped up in the second game and shut Worcester down in seven innings to get a huge win.”
Thompson, too, was a standout player, making two diving catches despite a sprained shoulder he contracted in the first game. Kacergis said that Thompson played great defense all day and made some “highlight reel catches.”
“Everyone contributed and had great attitudes all day. We are a very close knit team, and we love to have a good time on the field.”
Kacergis also mentioned postgraduate Stevie Upton for strong hits, reaching base and making “a few really nice plays in the field.” Shapiro agreed that Upton had hit the ball well.
Many players also mentioned upper Collin Shapiro as a standout player for stealing home base and putting Big Red’s only run of the first game on the board. Senior Perry DeLorenzo called it “the play of the day” and Kacergis also commended Shapiro for consistently reaching base and making good plays in the field.
Senior Sam Henry said that Shapiro’s lead off single “set the tone” for the second game of the double header. “From there on, everyone contributed at the plate. We had a couple big innings offensively and with Kacergis on the mound, that is all we needed.”
Kacergis said that the hitters stepped up in the second game and “crushed their second pitcher.” DeLorenzo agreed and added, “Our seven-run third inning in the second game gave us a comfortable lead to ride to the win.”
The boys all complimented one another’s positive attitudes. “Every player had a great attitude during both games,” Shapiro said. “Even when we were down and the games were close, everyone had a positive attitude.”
Thompson also appreciated the boys’ optimistic spirits. “Everyone contributed and had great attitudes all day. We are a very close knit team, and we love to have a good time on the field,” he said. “It is a great atmosphere.”
Right now, Big Red’s baseball record sits at 4-1. This Saturday, the team will face the Noble and Greenough School at home at 4:45 p.m. Nobles currently has a record of 2-2, and the boys look forward to a great game.