Eagles baseball hopes to extend hot streak into PAC playoffs

The Eastern baseball team is approaching the stretch run in the season with key games coming up in the PAC. So far, the Eagles have made their presence known in the league. With key wins over Neumann College and Misericordia University, the Eagles are still in the mix. Even with the slow start, Head Coach Keith Curley isn’t worried about his troops.

“We played very hard teams in the beginning of our schedule in the hopes of preparing us for league play,” Curley said.

The Eagles started the season with eight straight losses but are 7-3 since then.

“After a slow start in Florida, I think our mindset has changed,” senior Davis Murray said. “[In] the beginning of the season things weren’t really going our way, and the team wasn’t gelling like it is now.

“I think we just realized that we have the talent to make it to the PAC playoffs, and that in order to do that we needed guys to step up and make some big plays for us,” Murray said.

Lately the Eagles have gelled and are playing well. “Instead of scoring most of our runs in one inning, we seem to score all throughout the game,” junior Andrew Reynolds said. “This is due in part to the seniors hitting in our lineup, all of whom are having great years.”

Unfortunately for the Eagles, their schedule only gets tougher from here.

“We’re approaching the tougher part of our schedule with two series against Gwynedd-Mercy and Alvernia, two offensive powerhouses,” Murray said. “I think pitching and defense will be the key to taking a couple of games from each of them which would be huge.”

Curley has one goal coming out of the PAC at the end of the season.

“I would like to be in all games and be above .500 at the end,” Curley said.

Even with a tough road ahead of them, the Eagles have been impressive this year.

“The team is still growing together, and we are seeing great stuff from our younger guys, a few of whom have really stepped up big for us,” Murray said. “It is also great to see the offense our juniors and seniors have been able to produce.”

“We will be playing some very good teams coming up in the PAC,” Reynolds said. “If we come out and play our game and pick each other up, we should win.”

A year ago the Eagles were in the midst of doing damage in the PAC but let a few wins slip away. If the Eagles keep up the good work, they should be a concern for other teams in the PAC.

“As long as we play defense and get quality pitching, we will be fine all season,” Curley said.