Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Baseball team finds a new home and maybe new future

             Point Park University’s baseball team gets to play on a new field of dreams this season, and hopefully the move will trigger a winning record, which is something the team has not been able to attain since the early 2000s.             The team’s field has relocated, moving from Frank J. Marko Field in Robinson to the Green Tree Borough, which is much closer to campus than the one they played at previously.  Green Tree Borough was Duquesne University’s home field until last season.                 The baseball program has a strong history in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s advancing deep into the playoffs and even making the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) World Series several times.              I played on the team for two years, and what I took from the team is that it has the desire to win, but wins did not come as frequently as hoped.  Before the season started, the team would feel good and be ready to make a push; however, when the season started it struggled more than we thought it would.             Coach Loren Torres, going into his second year as head coach, has the pressure to succeed.  They only won 13 games in 2010, and at the time it seemed like the same old program.  You can tell that this year’s team is working hard to get the Pioneers back on track, bringing in players from all over, including Florida, Coach Torres’ native state.              This off-season Torres added 23 new faces to the team, including 13 transfer students.  Two of the transfers are from Duquesne University, who had their program come to an end last season because their athletic department cut four varsity sports.             As the team begins fall workouts and practices, a shot at the playoffs is something to battle for.  With 23 new players joining the team, there will be many fights for spots in the spring.             The team will miss the starting pitchers from seniors Seth Martin and Joe Cox from last season.  Martin ranked No. 20 in the league for the least amount of walks (12), and Cox led the team with a 3.40 ERA and only 19 earned runs allowed all season.             With 10 of the 23 newcomers being freshmen this upcoming season, this baseball team is a young one with much to prove.  Since the team lost only five seniors last season, I expect the young guys to step up this time.            My Pioneer prospect to watch for baseball this season will be junior pitcher Derek Peluso.  Peluso ranked first on the team in strikeouts, with 27 last season.  He finished with a 2-7 record and a 7.44ERA.  Peluso will step into a big role for the pitching staff due to Martin’s and Cox’s departures.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All Point Park Globe Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *