While many students went south for spring break to enjoy the sun, the Albion College Men’s Baseball team visited Georgia and Indiana as they began their season and preparation for MIAA league play.
The results over spring break were not what the Britons were expecting, but the team still anticipates competing for an MIAA title. The team went 1-6 on their road trip with their single win coming against LaGrange College in Georgia, but the competition was very competitive
“Our expectations are high heading into the MIAA,” Brett Timmer, Jenison senior, said. “Anything less than a conference title will be a disappointment to the group of guys we have. We have all the pieces, we just need to pull together and start playing at the level we are capable of playing at.”
Very few players graduated last year, so the experience on the field is something the Britons will look to gain success from.
Novi sophomore, Davin Montgomery, said the Britons have a stong team returning because they only graduated two seniors last year. Key returners include Michael Schypinski, Sterling Heights junior, Chuck DeClark, Holt senior, Chad Gromek, Lansing senior, Dan Mills, Northville sophomore, and John Gignac, Grand Rapids senior.
These members will not be the only contributors on the field, though.
“We have experience at all positions on the diamond and our pitching staff is led by three seniors, two juniors, and one sophomore,” Timmer said.
The six pitchers on the staff consist of Pete Salens, Bad Axe senior, Doug Counterman, Burlington senior, Timmer, David Pardo, Azusa, California junior, Schypinski, and Kyle Cassidy, Naperville, Illinois sophomore.
The Britons got back to their winning ways Tuesday March 13 as they defeated Ohio Northern University. Timmer threw a complete game six-hitter to lead the squad to a 3-1 victory. Albion improved to 2-6 on the season.
The team still has one non-conference double-header left to play at Bluffton University before they begin MIAA league play.
MIAA league play begins March 24 at Kalamzoo College at 1:00 PM, as Albion looks to begin their quest for an MIAA championship.
“The team has high expectations this year and as long as we put all of the pieces to the puzzle together, we will do well,” Montgomery said.
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