Developing a short-term memory may just be Mike Celenza’s biggest challenge. If he can get that right, Salisbury should have little problem getting its season back on track.
Despite being a true freshman, Celenza, a former All-Examiner selection at Quince Orchard High, has adjusted quite easily to the rigors of the college game, starting every game for the nationally ninth-ranked Sea Gulls (22-7, 5-5 Capital Athletic Conference), who travel to Catholic (15-16, 6-4) for this afternoon’s CAC Tournament opener.
“If you go 0-for-4 or you make a couple errors,” said Celenza, “You’ve got to forget about it because you’ve got a game the next day.”
He’s not quite accustomed to receiving the ball after switching from third base last year to first base for Salisbury, but Celenza has just four errors this season, the second fewest among five players to see action in every contest.
“He was struggled earlier defensively, but he’s worked at it every day, and he’s doing a lot better,” said senior outfielder Andrew Jensen.
Meanwhile, he’s got a knack for finding the gap and getting the ball to the fences, batting .361 with 27 RBIs and a team-leading 12 doubles.
“It’s been as easy as it could be for a freshman because college baseball can be a very humbling experience sometimes,” said Salisbury coach Doug Fleetwood. “I think recently he’s pressed a little bit with some things, left a few runners on. But he’s just going to be great player before he leaves here, and he’s going to have a lot of records when his career is over. I believe that.”
But while Celenza is doing his part, it’s been slim pickings for Sea Gulls, who have lost four straight after winning 22 of theirprevious 24 games.
“This is the first time since I’ve been head coach that we haven’t been the first or second seed in the CAC Tournament,” said Fleetwood, who has guided Salisbury to four league titles and two Division III World Series appearances in the last six years. “Obviously we have some things to prove.”
No matter the result against the Cardinals, Salisbury is likely to face Mary Washington or York — the two teams responsible for the Sea Gulls’ current losing spell — in the second game of the double-elimination tournament.
“I don’t think our confidence has been shot,” said Celenza. “I think everybody still believes we can win, take the CAC tournament and go into regionals an be successful.”
Capital Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament
No. 4 Salisbury (22-7, 5-5)
at No. 3 Catholic (15-16, 6-4)
When » Today, 3:30 p.m.
