After winning the conference two of the last three seasons, the P-P baseball team is looking to maintain dominance in SCIAC. So far, the team is off to a quick start, albeit against rather poor opponents. In six league games against Caltech and Whittier, the Sagehens have scored a combined 99 runs (16.5 per game) and allowed just 12 (2 per game).

The team returns five starters this season, including ace pitcher David Colvin PI ’11 and all-SCIAC second baseman James Kang PO ’10. Expectations are also high for first baseman Nick Frederick PO ’11, who broke out last year as a dangerous power hitter in the middle of the lineup and James Campbell PO ’12, who had an exceptional rookie season last year. Returning slugger Teddy Bingham PO ’11 should do some serious damage in the clean-up spot. Captain James Brunswick PO ’10 is looking to have a strong final season at both ends of the battery.

Although there are many outstanding individuals on the squad, the true strength of the Sagecocks comes from their team chemistry.

Captain Michael Goldberg PI ‘10 said, “Thankfully we have a strong group of guys. But that really starts with our open team dynamic and the chemistry we try to establish during the fall. If we all respect each other, we are able to individually put the team above our own needs.”

Preseason polls had the Sagecocks ranked 10th in the country, according to the NCAA Division-III ABCA Collegiate Baseball poll. They were the number one baseball team in the country for the majority of the 2009 season, but fell short of reaching the D-III College World Series when they were eliminated by Chapman in the Western Regional in Oregon.

“Being ranked is always nice, it shows that people are noticing our hard work,” Kang said. “Even though we started off preseason at number 10, we still need to work hard and win games. In the end we just need to win ball games and not worry about where other people think we should be ranked.”

With the untimely streak of storms that washed through the Pomona Valley, the Sagecocks were off to a slow start. After they dropped the first two games against Westmont, the next three, against Menlo, were cancelled due to weather.

“The rain is wet. And because our field does not have a great runoff system, we end up with severe puddles on the field as well as in our bullpen and batting cage,” Goldberg said. “These early games are very important for us to establish confidence and explore our possible starting lineup. It’s a burden to be missing games early on.”

The Sagecocks quickly bounced back during the next two series and swept in-league opponents Cal Tech and Whittier. The Sagecocks now sit at 6-2 (6-0 SCIAC) in the season, and they hope to continue the winning streak into a series against Chapman today and tomorrow.

If PP maintains their level of play during the Whittier series, this weekend’s series against regional rival Chapman should be a doozy. In the first game against the Poets on Feb. 19, Colvin struck out eight and gave up only one earned run. Led by Frederick and Erik Munzer PO ‘13, the top half of the Sagecock line-up hit a combined 14-26.

The doubleheader on Feb. 20 did not disappoint either. Led by Kang’s 4-6 hitting performance, the Cocks took the first game 13-3. Brunswick pitched six innings and gave up only two earned runs. He was relieved by Travis Rooke-Ley PI ‘12, who struck out four in just two innings.

The final game called for a Sagecock explosion in both defense and offense. Kang went 4-4 with two doubles, a home run, and five RBI. Leo Rosetti PO ‘12 pitched the first six innings, giving up only one earned run. He was relieved by two newcomers, Guy Stevens PO ‘13 and Stuart Gano PI ‘13, who both pitched lights out.

This looks to be a promising season for Sagecock baseball. Be sure to come out this weekend to support the team against regional rival Chapman University.