Baseball team stumbles to 1-5 conference record, remains confident they can turn things around
A free pass here and a free pass there have really been adding up for the Keene State College Baseball team.
As of April 11, the Owls’ pitching staff has walked 96 batters in 150 innings pitched. In addition, they have a staff Earned Run Average (ERA) of 5.40. The Owls have allowed 135 runs over 19 games, which averages out to eight runs per game. As of April 14 the Owls have a 6-13 record overall. The team currently sits in the basement of the Little East Conference with an 1-5 record.
According to KSC Baseball Head Coach Ken Howe, the Owls are working to cut back the number of walks they are issuing. “We are trying to minimize the amount of walks. We try to preach, as we always have, throw to early contact,” Howe said.
One other issue that has plagued the pitching staff is not going deep into games. “When your starting pitchers are at 100 pitches in the fifth inning there are usually reasons for that,” Howe said. Howe added there are a variety of reasons why that happens. In some cases pitchers might not work ahead in the count, or give hitters a pitch they can put in play, Howe said.
Kyle Bailey / Equinox Staff:
Freshman pitcher Stephen Costello throws a pitch in a home game against Rhode Island College on Saturday, April 12. The Owls would split the day’s doubleheader.
“The walks hurt and the defense tends to fall asleep when guys are throwing balls,” Howe said.
Senior Pitcher Vinnie Mangiagli said during the team’s six-game losing streak, which dated from games played on March 22 until April 9, pitchers were in their own world. “We weren’t really combined as a staff. I think yesterday [Western New England] changed that. We got a chance to come together as a unit,” Mangiagli said.
Mangiagli said the Owls pitchers need to cut down on the walks. “It’s obvious you can’t have them. You need to minimize them as much as possible, it’s literally a free base,” Mangiagli said.
Owls sophomore pitcher Keith Simpson said he believes the pitching staff’s struggles have hampered other parts of the team’s game. “If our pitchers get outs, our hitters won’t feel the need to press at the plate and they’ll feel lose,” Simpson said.
Simpson also said the expectations for the pitching staff have not been met. “We are on our way, but we still have a long way to go to meet our expectations,” Simpson said.
Senior first baseman, catcher and Tri-Captain Andrew Gummow said the Owls have potential on the mound. “The pitchers have individual talent but they have to put it together in the strike zone. We have some good kids, but they just have to stop walking people,” Gummow said.
Gummow said he thinks the Owls can turn the season around. “I think we have to live up to our potential. We do have the talent to be there. We have to come together on all cylinders and then I think we’ll be good,” Gummow said.
Sophomore pitcher Kevin Guild said the walks are a serious problem. “Those [walks] are pretty much going to make or break our season. If the walks continue, I don’t see us competing with some of the better teams in the conference,” Guild said.
Guild, like Gummow, said he has faith in the team. In their game against Western New England on April 9, KSC issued nine free passes. The pitching staff walked six batters and hit three. “I think we can move in the right direction,” Guild said.
“We have to change our mentality as a [pitching] staff. We have to play to win as opposed to playing not to lose. I think we’ve tended to concede to hitters and concede to the other team,” Guild said.
Brian Clemmenson can be contacted at bclemmenson@keene-equinox.com