Before an eventual rainout Monday, Calvert Hall junior pitcher Greg Terry was braving the wind and rain to chase a Canada goose from left-center field at the Cardinals? home field.
The comedic scene was reminiscent of how the rest of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association has been trying to chase down the No. 1 Cardinals over the past few seasons.
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“I think we see their best every single game, and we?re prepared for it,” University of Maryland-bound center fielder Reid Chenworth said of the Cardinals? competition. “Every day, we come out ready to win. We look at it as if they have to beat us; we don?t have to beat them.”
The Cardinals (18-0, 8-0 A Conference) are finding a way to maintain success in the long run. Since 1996, Calvert Hall has won five MIAA championships, including each of the last two. But that isn?t putting any further pressure on the club.
“I don?t think there?s any pressure,” said Hofstra-bound first baseman Jeff Guthridge, the 2006 MIAA batting champion. “We?ve got a good team, and we?ve played well so far. We?re just trying to keep that up.”
Guthridge is getting a challenge in the batting department this season. Sophomore shortstop Patrick Blair is hitting .574 with 35 hits in 18 games.
But the bats aren?t a concern – the team is carrying a .389 average with 18 home runs through 18 games. It was the young pitching staff that was a question mark to open the season. But after last week, the concerns are over.
“Two no-hitters,” Eckerl said. “[Junior right-hander] Steve Geiss threw a no-hitter [against Dulaney]; [junior right-hander] Mike Dillon almost threw a perfect game, with one walk against Gilman. When you get games like that, it?s easy to win.”
The hard work of Eckerl?s players is starting to pay off. Last week, USA Today recognized Calvert Hall as the No. 15 team in the nation and the No. 3 team in the East Region.
“That?s very complimentary. It?s exciting for us and our program,” Eckerl said. “It?s due to a lot of hard work and good people. With that combination, we?re going to be tough to beat.”
But Eckerl doesn?t like to think about losing. His team will head into a key contest today against visiting Loyola at 4 p.m. And for now, his team is focusing on the task at hand, rather than the potential for an undefeated season.
“It?s a challenge every week, and hopefully we can keep it going,” Eckerl said. “I know that pressure is going to get there eventually with the undefeated thing. As we get closer to the end, I think the pressure will mount.”
He maintains, though, that the team?s goal is not to go undefeated.
“Our main goal is to win our league,” Eckerl said. “The other things are icing on the cake.”
