With warmer weather rolling around, spring sports are gearing up for their seasons. In particular, baseball is taking advantage of the shift to green grass and sun, both off campus and on. Spring training has begun and teams are counting down to opening day.
Down south, MLB teams are trying out their new members, checking out the competition and getting back into the groove of things. Players have to be ready to show what they’ve got if they want a spot in the regular season. And this year, the league has the extra task of surmounting the shadow cast by the recent steroid scandal.
Some teams aren’t letting the times change them—The Boston and New York franchises are already lighting up their traditional rivalry. Just the other day, Boston general manager Theo Epstein criticized Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina for his attitude toward New York’s trip to Japan in 2004, calling him a “bad apple.” Boston is heading to Japan this year, and you can bet that Epstein is expecting no complaints from his players.
Georgetown’s own baseball and softball teams are in the midst of their pre-season play as well. The baseball team played its first two games this past Saturday and got its first win, 13-2, on Sunday against Davidson. The team still has half of last year’s starters and 10 of its 13 pitchers, and is now traveling to Florida for some spring training of their own. Today, the Hoyas will face off against the Washington Nationals in an exhibition game in Viera, Fla. The team then heads to Winter Park for the Rollins College Tournament.
The softball team started their season in the beginning of February, traveling to tournaments and invitations throughout the month. The program, which is in its third year, is off to its best start. Currently 4-9, the team has already surpassed their total wins for 2006 and is a third of the way to last season’s 12 wins. The team is a young one, with only two seniors on the 19 player squad. Seven new freshmen have joined the Hoyas, some of whom are already making their marks. Aimee Moffat hit the season’s first home run two weekends ago, and in the Hoyas’ most recent win against Alabama State, Kristi Preuss hit in the game winning run.
Season openers are drawing close, and baseball teams all over are gearing up for regular play. Georgetown baseball is no different. After this next week of pre-season preparations the teams will host their home openers onWednesday, March 12. Their performances in these last few days will determine if we are to expect more success from these teams this spring.
