The Fighting Scots baseball team has had a roller coaster ride this year, but they have continued their strong play in the Midwest Conference. In conference, they have a 4-4 record and still have a legitimate shot at finishing first in the South Division. The Scots most recently lost two games against rival Knox College this past Sunday (3-2) and (5-4).

Sophomore Mike Casmer, said, “The main struggle we have had this year was not being all there mentally. That is our main goal, to stay in a mental state of mind as the season winds down.”

In the first game against Knox, senior Ryan Priola recorded two hits out of four chances, while knocking in one run. Ryan Stubler, a senior, added two hits, as he drove in the Scots’ final run.

The Scots got another solid performance from freshman starting pitcher, Michael Reed (1-2). Reed pitched six complete innings, giving up nine hits and walking three out of the 31 batters he faced. Brian Chandler, junior, came in to relieve Reed in the seventh inning. Chandler faced the minimum in two innings while striking out one.

Following the first loss to Knox, the Scots played their second game against them loosing to a final of 5-4. In the loss, Priola added two more hits on his day while driving in three runners in his four at-bats.

Junior, Drew Johnson took the mound for 4.1 innings, only giving up four hits and charged with three earned runs, while striking out two. Chandler stepped in for some relief pitching throwing 3.2 innings and surrendering four hits and one earned run, while striking out three batters in his 16 batters faced.

The Scots competed in a rough match up against Augustana College on April 22, loosing of a final 18-2. Freshman, Billy Herrin had a nice game going, as he was 2-3 at the plate. Priola continued his strong performance by knocking in the Scots’ only runs.

Monmouth’s overall record currently sits at 5-18, with a conference record of 4-4. The Scots will host a doubleheader against rivals Knox College tomorrow, Friday April 25, at noon in Monmouth. The team will then play its final home game of the season against Robert Morris College-Springfield at noon on next Wednesday.

“We have struggled with our pitching and hitting this year, we still have talent and if we come together as a team, we should win conference,” said Casmer.

In each of the teams’ losses against Knox College and Robert Morris; the Scots have fallen short by one run. The team is out to look for revenge as they get ready to take on the same opponents with three weeks left in the baseball season.

This weekends’ doubleheader should play a major role in the Scots’ divisional rankings. The Scots need to continue their strong play in the division in order to finish first. Looking further into the schedule, the Scots will play a doubleheader against Grinnell College on Sat., May 3, which should also affect Monmouth’s divisional record.

“There is still time to turn the season around and have it tail into next year. We just need to stay positive and have a positive attitude along with the seniors and take all the positive energy into next year and turn things around for us,” added Casmer.

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