The Queen’s baseball team came away empty-handed this weekend, losing both of their doubleheaders against Carleton and the University of Ottawa.
Despite playing well defensively, the Golden Gaels had difficulties producing runs. “We were happy with the defense, but you can’t win a ball game with three hits,” said head coach Perry Conrad.
Carleton 5-11
Queen’s 1-5
Ottawa 15-6
Queen’s 1-0
In Saturday’s series against Carleton, at home in McGaffin Park, the Gaels fought hard, but came away with a 5-1 loss. Queen’s produced more offence in the second game, but still fell to the Ravens 11-5.
Sunday’s series brought new hope for the Gaels, as they were hosting the last place Ottawa Gee-Gees. However, strong gusting winds aided the Ottawa offence as they handed Queen’s a 15-1 loss in the first game.
“The wind would pick up the ball and carry it an extra thirty feet,” said Conrad, “and our hitters were just not helping our pitchers.” The second game, an improvement over the first, was a still a 6-0 loss for Queen’s. The Gaels pitchers were superb, but timely hits and smart base running enabled the Gee-Gees to capture the win.
Steve McFayden started the game, and surrendered only three runs in his three innings of work. Jeff Simeone took over in the top of the fourth to finish the game, and gave up the other three runs while striking out six.
One reason for the Gaels’ slow offence is a new rule, which states that only wooden bats are to be used. Most of the players on the team are accustomed to aluminum baseball bats, and they have not adjusted to the new legislation as well as other teams may have.
BASEBALL
“Players have to get accustomed to the wooden bats. They are different then aluminum ones,” said Conrad.
Another hindrance for the Gaels is the grueling schedule they must endure for the season. The Gaels play sixteen games in nineteen days, and it is difficult to stay healthy. Two starters, centerfielder Ryan Berlin and Joe Reid, have been on the disabled list lately. Reid only returned to the lineup for the final game against Ottawa.
“The pitchers are playing on three days rest, which is tough… our biggest thing is getting guys healthy,” said Conrad. “Weather plays a big part too. The colder the temperature, the harder it is on the pitcher.” Queen’s needs to finish first or second in the division to secure home field advantage in the semi-finals. This weekend’s four losses dropped them to fourth, with a 3-7 record.
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